In the ancient times Tropoja has been part of Dardania and merchant’s roads towards
Adriatic seas have passed across it. During the period of the Ottoman empire it has been
part of Kosovo Willayet, from when it inherits the traditional toponym of “Highland of
Gjakova/Malesia e Gjakoves” The centre of the Commune is situated in Tropoja village, which has been the centre of Tropoja district until the creation of Bajram Curri town in year 1952.
Tropoja has been distinguished for its patriotic traditions in the fights against the
Ottoman, Serbian, Austro-Hungarian invaders and Nazi fascist during the second world
war. Distinguished people like Ali Iber Neza, Avdulla Hoxha and Ram Muja were born
in Tropoja. Both Ali Iber Neza and Avdulla Hoxha were distinguished patriots in the
wars against ottoman invaders, while Ram Muja has given great contribution for the
liberation of the country for the Nazi fascist. Distinguished people of the Albanian
national renaissance like Hasan Prishtina, Bajram Curri and Isa Boletini had their own
basis in the commune of Tropoja. The actual Prime Minister of the country and ex
President of the Republic who is also the leader of the Democratic Party from the start of
the democratic movements of December 1990, Mr Sali Berisha was born and has spent his
childhood in Tropoja commune. Mr Berisha and the ex Prime Minister of Kosovo Mr
Ramush Haradinaj have been declared “Honoured Citizen” of Tropoja Commune.
Left of Kosovo outside the national boundaries in year 1912, which was succeeded after
the end of the second world, from the extreme isolation of the communist regime as well
as the very mountainous terrain have made interactions with the rest of the country hard,
the lives of the local people very difficult, and Tropoja one of the typical disadvantaged
areas. The democratic changes of year 1990, liberation of Kosovo in 1999 and the
opening of the state boundaries made possible the free movement of the local inhabitants
towards their traditional markets of Gjakova, Peja, Prizreni and Prishtina. The definition
of the final status of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state on 17 February 2008
and the new national policies for the economic development of the whole country have
given lately a new breath to the development of Tropoja area and its community.
The expectation for the construction of the road “Adriatic - Alps”, 45 km, along the
Koman lake of Drini valley that will connect Tropoja with Gjakova and Peja in Kosovo
and Shkodra and Shengjini harbour in Albania, will make the final transformation of this
region into a vital and distinguished tourist zone which offers the magnificent beauties of
the Albanian Alps with its mountains and vallyes mixed with traditional urban zones. It
will finally transform even Tropja into a preferred tourist destination.
