GUCIA – a town surrounded by mountains, has many tourist attractions, including Ali Pashë Gucia Springs with cool water fountains coming from the Vizier’s Brada Mountains (Brada e Vezirit). Once upon a time, Gucia was a main stopping point for caravans coming from Dubrovnik, Kotor, Shkodra and Peja and headed to Istanbul (then known as Constantinople).
The houses (also known as towers) of this area have unique characteristics. They are built from stone by local stonemasons. One of the most famous Albanian writers, Gjergj Fishta, also known as “the Albanian Homer”, has spoken about the beautiful surroundings of this area and the ethnopsychologies of its inhabitants. In his masterpiece, “Lahuta e Malcis” (The Highland Lute), he states that “Guci is Albania’s Clock”. In addition, academic Esat Mekuli has come from this territory.
The remarkable Albanian thinker, Rexhep Qosja, who was born in Vuthaj, has expressed the following regarding the beauty of Plavë and Guci, and the identity of their inhabitants:
“Many have spoken about the history, culture, and identity of the inhabitant of this zone. These are cities that nature has placed at the heart of the Accursed Mountains, and surrounded by extraordinary beauties: magic treasures, mountain, forests, hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, brooks, springs, diverse vegetation and wild animals”.
Due to political and economic reasons, more than half of the population has emigrated, mostly to USA and Kosova. However, despite migrating, those who live abroad remain emotionally connected to their birthplace. It can be easily said that only a small number of Albanian migrants are connected to their birthplace as much as those of this area. Evidencing this the “Albanian Alps” festival, which has taken place every August for the last twenty years. Held in Vuthaj, this festival brings together Albanian migrants for traditional celebrations.
In order to connect Albanians from Albania and Kosova to the residents of this area, Albania implemented a project of high importance – it paved the mountain road to link Shkoder – Kelmend – Plavë – Guci. To build on this, it would be great if Kosova can finish the count ruction of the Deçan – Plavë – Guci road, which has already started.
The Plavë and Guci area resembles a beautiful, stately woman. It invites fellow Albanians from everywhere, to visit. It is likely that those who visit will be mesmerized by its beauty.
Plava and Guci have never been closer to us. The road from Shkodra, that passes through the Hoti serpent roads, Tamarë, Selcë, Lepushë, Vermosh, Plavë and Guci is about 100km long (about 2.5 hours of driving).
So, this is a call from the heart, for Albanians in Albania and Kosova and visitors of these places, to not disregard the amazing beauties of the Plavë and Guci area. Those who live there need us, but we also need to experience the beauty of these places.
Nëntor Oseku
