Tepelenë

Tepelenë is a town and municipality in southern Albania. It serves as the administrative center of Tepelenë Municipality, within Gjirokastër County. The town sits in the Vjosa river valley, along routes that connect the interior regions with the southern Shqipëria coast, and it is set among a mix of hills and rural settlements.

A defining landmark is Kala e Tepelenës, the fortress on a hill overlooking the town. Built in the 18th century, it is associated with Ali Pasha of Tepelena, who used Tepelenë as a base in the expansion of his rule in the region. The fortress and surrounding Ottoman-era architecture remain a major point of interest for visitors and scholars studying the Pashalik era.

The local economy is primarily based on agriculture and small-scale industry, with crops typical of the Vjosa valley such as olives, fruits, and vegetables, complemented by services in the town. The municipality includes the urban center and several nearby villages, covering a varied landscape from low-lying areas to more elevated terrain along the Vjosa valley.

Historically, the area has connections to antiquity and medieval times, with archaeological and cultural sites in the broader region. Tepelenë hosts local events and serves as a service center for residents of the surrounding countryside. In 2015, as part of Albania’s local government reform, Tepelenë was redefined as a municipality within Gjirokastër County, consolidating former municipal units into a single local government area centered in the town.