National Park - Fir of Hotova

About

Fir of Hotovë-Dangëlli National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar "Bredhi i Hotovës-Dangëlli") is the largest national park in Albania located in Gjirokastër County with a surface area of 34,361 ha (343.61 km2). The park takes its name from the Hotova Fir, which is considered one of the most important Mediterranean plant relics of the country. The park is made up of hilly and mountainous terrain with limestone and sandstone deposits as well as numerous valleys, canyons, gorges, rivers and dense deciduous and coniferous forests. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the park as Category II. The park also includes 11 natural monuments.

The park rises over a very remote mountainous region of Nemërçka and Tomorr between the Vjosa Valley in the west, Leskovik in the south, Erseka in the southeast and the Osum Valley in the northeast. Close to Petran is the narrow and deep Lengarica Canyon with numerous caves and thermal springs such as Banjat e Bënjës. Within the boundaries of the park there are numerous villages including Frashër, which is well known located in the heart of the park. In terms of hydrology, Vjosa is the main river forming the western bound of...

- Frashëri Brothers Tower House and Museum in Frashër, reconstructed in the 1970s by the Albanian government. The museum features documents, photographs, and sculptures on the Frashëri Brothers family history and their contribution to the Albanian Renaissance.

- Katiu Ottoman Bridge and Benja Thermal Waters As elsewhere in Albania, this national park is being threatened by the construction of hydroelectric dams along the Langarica Canyon. Environmentalists are challenging such activity by holding protests in Tirana as works are underway in the affected area which could damage ecosystems and the livelihood of those catering to the tourism industry.