Several ancient and medieval curiosities can be found in the upper reaches of the Shkumbin river valley, 30km northwest of Pogradec, a relatively untouched site of the ancient trading routes between the Adriatic and the lands beyond the lake.
The first sight in the valley is the impressive Ottoman-era Golik Bridge (Ura e Golikut) with its three arches.
A group of five monumental tombs can be found in the rocks near Selcë e Poshtme village, the main settlement in the valley. Dating back to the 4th century BC, one in the shape of an amphitheatre, and another with two storeys and decorated colonnades. The graves may well have been for Illyrian kings, but grave robbers struck in the 1st century, and very few artifacts remained. The narrow track leading to the tombs best tackled by 4WD car; call tel. +355 69 262 32 17 to see if the graves are open.
A few kilometres further, Potkozhan village is worth visiting for its traditional stone houses and for the diminutive medieval St. Demetrios (Shën Bitri) church which retains its original frescoes; ask around for someone to unlock the church if you find it closed. At Potkozhan it's possible to stay in guesthouses and enjoy the local food and raki.
The valley is best approached from Urakë on the Elbasan road; there's a direct gravel road to Pogradec but that is impassable in wet weather. A daytrip by sturdy taxi will cost up to 3000 lek.
The first sight in the valley is the impressive Ottoman-era Golik Bridge (Ura e Golikut) with its three arches.
A group of five monumental tombs can be found in the rocks near Selcë e Poshtme village, the main settlement in the valley. Dating back to the 4th century BC, one in the shape of an amphitheatre, and another with two storeys and decorated colonnades. The graves may well have been for Illyrian kings, but grave robbers struck in the 1st century, and very few artifacts remained. The narrow track leading to the tombs best tackled by 4WD car; call tel. +355 69 262 32 17 to see if the graves are open.
A few kilometres further, Potkozhan village is worth visiting for its traditional stone houses and for the diminutive medieval St. Demetrios (Shën Bitri) church which retains its original frescoes; ask around for someone to unlock the church if you find it closed. At Potkozhan it's possible to stay in guesthouses and enjoy the local food and raki.
The valley is best approached from Urakë on the Elbasan road; there's a direct gravel road to Pogradec but that is impassable in wet weather. A daytrip by sturdy taxi will cost up to 3000 lek.