Shiroka
Close to the city lies the Lake
Shkodra, the biggest lake in
all the Balkans with its surface
area of 368 km 2 (149 of which
are Albanian waters). The lake is
notable for its different banks:
the southern bank is high and
rocky while the northern one is
low and marshy. For a leisurely
cyclist or driver, two main
tourist centers are the towns
of Shiroka and Zogaj located
on the shoreline. Famous for
their fishing skills, each vil-
lage hosts restaurants serving
the most popular local dish,
baked carp. Every 15th of Au-
gust the Catholic pilgrimage
of Shën Rrok, or Saint Rocco,
is observed in Shiroka to cel-
ebrate the historic protector of
the town. Tradition holds that
after this date it is ill advised to
swim in the lake’s waters.
The Lake Shkodra enjoys warm temperatures, absorb- ing sunlight most days during the year. Swimming, sunbath- ing and rowing are popular for both tourists and locals. Be- sides these amusements the lake constitutes a very impor- tant natural ecosystem with 281 species of birds and 45 species of fish including carp, eel and shtojza.
The Lake Shkodra enjoys warm temperatures, absorb- ing sunlight most days during the year. Swimming, sunbath- ing and rowing are popular for both tourists and locals. Be- sides these amusements the lake constitutes a very impor- tant natural ecosystem with 281 species of birds and 45 species of fish including carp, eel and shtojza.
