Ndroq

Overview

The hilly lowland between Tirana and Durrës is divided by two geographical corridors: Vora gorge and valley of Ndroq, across which two natural routes pass through, connecting Durres to Tirana fertile plain and remote highlands of Martanesh, Kruja, Dibra and Mat.

Ndroq village is situated in the valley crossed by Erzeni river, in the middle of a carriageway road linking Tirana and Durres. The old Ndroq is located further in the south. Its quarters are established on a number of olive hills. The castle (387 meters above the sea level) is built on the dominant hill. The largest neighbourhood, according to the trails, has been Varoshi, southeast of the castle. The other quarters are extended across the surrounding hills.
 

Historical background

It is believed that Ndroq has existed as a settlement since Roman period. However, it is mentioned for the first time as a village of Andronikë, with 23 houses in the Turkish register of the Sanjak of Albania, drafted in the years 1431-1432.
There are two hypotheses about the name of Ndroq village:
•    It originates from the word “among the roots”- “underneath the roots” or at the foot of the mountain because village is situated at the bottom of the hill of Ndroq castle.
•    However, its name has an earlier memory from the Greek word “andros”, man; therefrom “Andronicus” as a proper noun, Andronikus as the emperor’s name. 
Later, both names suffered phonetic transformations until the formation of the present word “Ndroq”. 
During the whole XX century, “Ndroqi” surname has attributed to the region individualities that have deserved and still deserve honour. 

Economy and environment  

Agricultural land is of a good manufacturing quality and its main part is in use. There is a positive tradition in the land use also due to the suitable geographical position and favourable climate for planting many agricultural crops, including cereals, vegetables, grapes and olives.
A key factor in the growth and development of products is the proximity of producers with the largest market in the region, which is Tirana and Durrës port. There is a growing trend in the area, of enterprises focused on agro-industry and the establishment of organic farms.
Many restaurants are found in Tirana-Ndroq road, which offer traditional cuisine with bio/organic products of the area.

 

Tradition

The history of olive cultivation is very old in Ndroq area, distinguished for its growth. Its surrounding hills are planted with olive trees, some of which are very old (up to 3000 years old).
The people of this rural area used to cultivate olives and a good tradition is the workshops of olive oil production. The oil produced here is of very good quality. There are eight olive oil production factories in Ndroq area.
The hills of Shesh village are often mentioned for viniculture, where two well-known types of grapes are cultivated, referred to as “Shesh i zi” and “Shesh i bardhë”, wherefrom two well known Albanian wines were named.
Processing of fruits and vegetables is another tradition of the area; worth mentioning is their drying and preparation of dried fruit products such as fig bread (prepared with dried figs) etc.

The Municipality of Tirana is the pioneering organizer of "Ndroq Bio-Feast ". This activity was conceived as a fair of agricultural and livestock products of the area, in order to restore the tradition for the promotion and encouragement of agro-tourism in this very rich area with bio/organic products, thus making Ndroq the host of tens of citizens from Tirana and surrounding areas.