Hilly town by the Greek Border: Konispol

There is no dish without  olive oil and mandarin  in Saranda. In whole year you can get as fresh fruit, honey, jam, varieties of desert options and raki anywhere. Mandarins are good option for snack or tea time peeling a delicious mandarin straight from the tree.

Did you know that in 2006 here around Saranda were just around 100 hectares of citrus planted in the Konispol region? In southern most Albania just off the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint, today, there are more than 724 hectares, which account for 12,000 metric tons of mandarins.

The city of Konispol is lying on the hills and facing the sea. Konispoli is the town located at the southern of Albania, about 1 km from the Greek border, offers a marvelous view with houses distinctive architecture.

The fertile lands of Konispol are home to expansive olive and mandarin groves. These groves not only add to the scenic beauty of the area but also play a crucial role in the local economy. The olives and mandarins harvested here are known for their exceptional quality, contributing to a thriving agricultural trade.

No visit to Konispol would be complete without indulging in the delicious Kataifi cake. This traditional dessert is a sweet treat made from finely shredded phyllo dough, filled with nuts, and soaked in a fragrant syrup. Its unique texture and rich flavors make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

The main economy of the city is agriculture, olives, lemon, pomegranate, mandarins as the main symbols of the Mediterranean Diet. The warm hospitality of the residents towards foreigners. Their table is always laid to be served through food with respect, gratitude, culture and love.
If you want to dig into the past and history of this country you can find easily remain as relics…

Across the entire timeline, starting from the caves of antiquity (such as Kreshmoi CaveIn 1992, Seven Caves  (Shpella e Kreshmoi) were discovered up to the communist bunkers. It seems that history has not lost its traces in this place.

If you open to meet Urimi, the stone carver from Konispol , you can find him or his knowledge locally because if you take a walk around Saranda and its region you will find out that churches, squares, museums, and even hotels, the chances are you will come across the work of stone carver. In Konispol many of them has been living for generations an anonymous master, whose work everyone knows.

Local houses, memorials, small tombs, grave block, souvenirs adorn some of the location adorns some of the finest locations in the city. Urimi is a naiv master of the of stone carving, whom work is not just an activity where pieces of rough natural stone are shaped by the controlled removal of stone.

The local knowledge , historical and cultural heritage play huge role in development of the tourism. Bringing cultural tourism back in the game in Albania. Reach Konispol by own car, bicycle, motorbike, hiking also by public transport or private taxi. As more cultural tourists have sought to explore the cultures of the Konispol, greater emphasis has been placed on the importance of intercultural dialogue to promote understanding and tolerance on each side of the borders.

This article was first published in Travel Magazin Balakan 2023/39