TIRANA  , a

town of Albania, European Turkey, in the vilayet of Scutari; 20 M . E. by N. of Durazzo, at the southern extremity of the plain of Kroia . Pop . (1905) about 12,000 . Tirana is beautifully situated on the border of the richly wooded high-lands inhabited by the Mirdite Albanians . It is a picturesque town with a large bazaar and many mosques, gardens and olive groves . It was founded early in the 17th century and was long the see of a Greek bishop, although the majority of its inhabitants have always been Moslems . Kroia, the ancient stronghold of Scanderbeg (q.v.), is 14 M. north .