Tuzi
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
No issues specified. Please specify issues, or remove this template. |
| Tuzi | ||
| Country: | Montenegro | |
| Subdivision: | Podgorica municipality | |
| Location: | 42°21′56″N 19°19′53″E / 42.36556°N 19.33139°E | |
| Population: | 3,900 | |
| Area code: | 020 | |
| Postal code: | 81206 | |
| License plates: | PG | |
Tuzi is a town in the Podgorica municipality, Montenegro, located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers north of Lake Skadar. The exact location of Tuzi is 42°21′56″N 19°19′53″E / 42.36556°N 19.33139°E. It a centre of Tuzi urban municipality, a subdivision of Podgorica municipality.
Origin of name
The origin of the name dates back to the settlement of an Albanian man named Llesh Tuzi in 1322. Tuzi was named after this man in respect to his settlement in the area. It is said[by whom?] that Llesh hailed from the Gruda tribe[citation needed]. This town first started out as a small village just settled by the tribe of Gruda (common that a significant amount of historians[who?] believe he is from another tribe), now all the tribes of Malësia, respectively, stake their claim to its natural beauty.
History
The original Malësori people that inhabit the town are from surrounding Hoti, Trieshi, Gruda, and Koja tribes. The region of Malësia is roughly 10,000 in population.
The name Tuzi was first mentioned in the writings of Franciscan missioners in 1222. As an urban centre it has existed since the early 20th century. As with neighbouring lands, Tuzi was under Ottoman. It was incorporated into Montenegro by the provisions of the Congress of Berlin.
Tuzi is the site for the first Albanian uprising since the time of Gjergj Kastrioti - Skenderbeg in 1443. Throughout time, Tuzi was the last to surrender to the Turks and the first to claim independence[citation needed]. Ded Gjo Luli Dedvukaj was the leader of this uprising. He led his Malësor brothers to victory against the Ottoman Turks in 1911, as a result freeing them against the powerful Muslim army. The famous battle of Tuzi that day was known as the Battle of Deçiq. This famous victory for the Albanians sparked to other events that led to the Independence of Albania.
Many travelers wrote about this area, including Evliya Çelebi and Edith Durham. They noted the region's beauty, the lake, the fields, the mountains, and the river Cem as well as the nobility of the people.
Tuzi today
Tuzi, is the urban center of the Malesia region, a part of which belongs to Montenegro. It is situated to the northwest of the Shkodër Lake 10 km from Podgorica, 150 km from Dubrovnik (Croatia) and 130 km to Tirana (Albanian Capital). Tuzi has a good geographic, economic and political position; it is only a 40-minute drive from the Adriatic Sea and the same distance from the snowy mountains in the north.
Tuzi is located in the field area of Malesia, surrounded by forests and mountains that are further connected with the Albanian Alps. Malesia has about 11,000 inhabitants, of which about 4,000 live in Tuzi. The majority of the population are ethnic Albanians of the (Roman Catholic and Islam religions). As in all cities in Montenegro, Tuzi has a health centre, elementary school "Mahmut Lekić" and high school "25 Maj". The main centre in the cultural life of Malesia region, QIK 'Malësia', was built in 2004. In the last few years, Tuzi built a new elementary school and football stadium.
Malesia has vast cultural, religious and ethnographic heritage. There are many societies that cherish and preserve cultural treasures. There are carnivals that have brought Tuzi to some international carnival cities. There is an ethnographic museum band also many places and cultural valuables to be explored.
Politics
Albanians in Tuzi have made several initiatives to form Tuzi as a separate municipality within Montenegro, but with moderate success. So far, the Capital City Law has passed that marks Tuzi and Golubovci as urban municipalities - a municipality within municipality, where Tuzi and Golubovci would have their own city parliaments, but still would be under mayor of Podgorica.
Population
Tuzi has 3,900 residents, according to 2003 census, and the Urban Municipality itself has 9,950 residents. Out of this, most are ethnic Albanians, but there is also a significant percentage of Muslims, Bosniaks, and Montenegrins. As a town centre, Tuzi has 3,900 inhabitants. Tuzi is the main town for the Albanian region of Malësia within Montenegro. Today, most Malësors have moved from their original "Katunds" (villages) to Tuzi for a better living and higher education for their children.
Attractions in town
The attractions and religious institutions for the town are all located on the main road of the center village. Attractions include; Cavalieri Bar/Lounge, Patricia Hotel/Cafe, Troja Restaurant, Verdi Restaurant/Pizzeria/Lounge, Martini Lounge, Malsia Cafe, Main Street Cafe, Saint Anthony (Shen Ndua) Albanian Catholic Church, Mosque, and the center plaza.
Demographics
- Albanians - 2,320
- Bosniaks - 584
- Muslims - 466
- Montenegrins - 293
- Roma - 62
- Serbs - 22
- Croats - 4
- Macedonians - 1
- Others - 10
- Undeclared/undefined - 65
- regional affiliation - 4
- unknown - 27
- Total - 3,789
Religious demographics
The majority of the people are Roman Catholics, which claims over 60% of the population. Islam is a major minority with over 37% of the population being Muslim. There is also a small Orthodox minority mainly of Montenegrin descent.
International relations
Twin towns – sister cities
Rochester Hills, Michigan (2007)
