Razëm

Located in the Shkrel municipality, a mere 43 km away from the city of Shkodra and 65 km from the coast (Velipoja), lies Razma, one of the closest tourist destinations to the city. Situated at an elevation of approximately 900 meters above sea level, Razma offers a perfect setting for both summer and winter mountain tourism.

Historically, this area has been a grazing pasture for the surrounding Vrith village and has been utilized by many merchants from the city of Shkodra. It is a breathtaking mountainous region in Albania that was first discovered by foreign explorers in the 19th century. The beauty and natural wealth of Razma were appreciated by Italian botanist Antonio Baldoci, Austrian researcher Dofler, and geologist Boran Nopce.

Around the 1920s, Razma began to be utilized by shepherds for summer grazing, and as living standards improved, Shkodra traders built their summer houses there. In 1953, this area became state-owned, and a workers’ holiday camp was established, which operated until 1990. During this period, the area served as a summer retreat for workers and a starting point for excursions in winter.

Covering a total area of 3,680 hectares, Razma’s tourist zone, unlike other alpine tourist areas, stretches over a karst plateau. This unique landscape presents astonishing contrasts, with its pyramid-shaped peaks dominating the mostly forested valleys and the karstic sinkholes and alpine meadows.

Geographically, Razma’s relief is entirely composed of Mesozoic carbonate rocks, featuring a typical uplifted block structure at an altitude of over 1,500 meters. The high solubility of these rocks has shaped the predominant karst morphology in the alpine relief of Razma. This relief is represented by fields such as Razma, Troshani, and Fusha e Zezë, characterized by sinkholes, sink passages, and karstic caves, making them valuable tourist attractions to explore. The traces of strong tectonic and erosion activity can be found in Fusha e Zezë, Razma, and the deposits between Razma and Vrith. The most prominent forms of relief with tourist value (such as mountaineering, picnics, etc.) in this area belong to the Veleçik ridge (1,724 m) – Kunora (1,713 m) in the north of Razma and Kunora e Zagorës (1,862 m) in the east. Razma’s mountainous relief, with its impressive forests of beech and pine, clean and fresh air, especially during summer and winter, holds unique tourist appeal. The abundant wildlife in this area, including various species of animals and birds, provides excellent opportunities for hunting enthusiasts.

Razma boasts several pristine ecosystems, easily accessible and captivating to behold.

Four Seasons of Adventure

Among the types of tourism that can be developed in this area, we mention:

1. Nature-oriented Tourism: Razma offers an array of opportunities for nature enthusiasts. Scientific tourism encompasses geographical, tourist, historical, ethnographic, biological, zoological, and speleological interests. Geographical tourism allows visitors to explore the diverse geographic features of the area, such as the summits of Veleçik and Kunora.
2. Geological Tourism: The geological characteristics of Razma make it a fascinating area for research. The diverse Mesozoic, Cenozoic, and Quaternary deposits, as well as the tectonic fractures of this region, offer great interest to geological study.
3. Historical Tourism: The local population of Razma has a rich history of continuous resistance against various invaders, such as the Turks, Serbs, and Montenegrins. Therefore, the study of the history of this area and its documentation have significant historical value.
4. Ethnographic Tourism: Razma’s unique cultural heritage provides unparalleled research opportunities for ethnographers. The distinctive traditional attire of the region, including the long shirt with a “Dallomë” (a small bag made of wool) for men and the 3,000-year-old “Xhubleta” for women and girls, along with the simple and architecturally decorative characteristics of the local houses, offer rich ethnographic experiences.
5. Cultural Ceremonies: Traditional wedding ceremonies, where it was customary for the groom to wear the oldest clothes and travel with livestock or hide in a friend’s house, present another significant aspect for study. Daily life ceremonies, such as traditional songs with lahuta (a traditional string instrument), “Maje Krahu” (a type of singing with echoes), lullabies, and the fyell (a traditional flute), also contribute to the cultural richness of the area.
6. Speleological Tourism: Spearheaded by the Albanian Alps Association (SHASH), speleological tourism starts with the exploration of the Veleçik summit cave, a 28-meter vertical descent. The Lugjet Cave, located in the V-L area of Razma, offers an extensive cave system with a 10° ascent and a total length of 79 meters, branching into two narrow passages. The pristine and drinkable water flowing through these caves, forming the Lugjet Gorge, can be visited by amateurs and casual visitors.

Additionally, activities like hunting and other sports, such as horseback riding, cycling, etc., can be pursued in this area. In winter, there are ample opportunities for skiing, particularly in Fusha e Zezë, as well as sports fields in the Razma camp. Razma provides a conducive environment for the development of family tourism.