The following are notable people who were either born, raised or have lived for a significant period of time in Durrës:

Historical figure

Emperor An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...

of the

Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire primarily in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinopl ...

* Aretes of Dyrrachium, natural philosopher. * Jahja Ballhysa, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence * Pietro Bianco, pirate from Durrës who lived in the 1450s *

Bruti family Bruti family (Italian: Brutus) was an Albanian medieval family which began with Marco Bruti born in 1285 who was the ''signore'' of Durrës. In 1361 he recognized Venetian rule in the city in return for defense against the Turkish conquest. The fami ...

, Medieval family which ruled in Durres. * Abaz Efendi Çelkupa, signatory of the

Albanian Declaration of Independence The Albanian Declaration of Independence ( Albanian: ''Deklarata e Pavarësisë'') was the declaration of independence of Albania from the Ottoman Empire. Independent Albania was proclaimed in Vlorë on 28 November 1912. Six days later the Assem ...

* Mustafa Hanxhiu, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence *

Karl Topia Karl Thopia ( sq, Karl Topia) was an Albanian feudal prince and warlord who ruled Albania from the middle of the 14th century until the first Ottoman conquest of Albania. Thopia usually maintained good relations with the Roman Curia. Family ...

Prince of Albania This article includes a list of Albanian monarchs. Albania was first established by the Progon family in 1190, with Progon, Lord of Kruja as the nation's first monarch. Princes of Arbanon (1190–1256) House of Progon * Progon (1190–1198) *Gji ...

Nikollë Mekajshi Nikollë Mekajshi ( it, Nicolò Mechaischi, la, Mecansius) was a Franciscan Roman Catholic prelate who served as bishop of Stephanium, a region in central Albania. He took part in the Convention of Mat in 1594, and was a member of the delegation t ...

, early 17th century Albanian patriot.

Politics and public office

* Pjetër Arbnori, "the Mandela of the Balkans" * Vangjush Dako, Mayor of Durrës *

Namik Dokle Namik Dokle (born 11 March 1946) is an Albanian politician. He served as Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania The Parliament of Albania ( sq, Kuvendi i Shqipërisë) or Kuvendi is the unicameral representative body of the citize ...

, politician and former

Chairman of the Parliament of Albania The Parliament of Albania ( sq, Kuvendi i Shqipërisë) or Kuvendi is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Albania; it is Albania's legislature. The Parliament is composed of no less than 140 members elected to a ...

from September 2001 to April 2002 * Grida Duma, female politician *

Lefter Koka Lefter Koka (born 4 August 1964 in Durrës) is an Albanian politician who served as the Minister of Environment in the centre-left Coalition Government of Albania and was also a member of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania for the Socialist ...

, former Mayor of Durrës, politician, and former minister *

Fatmir Mediu Fatmir Mediu (born 21 January 1967, in Durrës) is an Albanian conservative politician. He is the current Chairman of the Republican Party of Albania, and served as Minister of Defence from September 2005 to March 2008, and Minister of Environm ...

, politician, leader of

Republican Party of Albania The Republican Party of Albania (, PR or PRSH ) is a national-conservative political party in Albania. It currently holds 3 of the 140 seats in the Parliament of Albania, in alliance with the Democratic Party of Albania. History The party was fou ...

* Bujar Nishani, politician and former President of Albania * Gazmend Oketa, politician, former minister * Sokol Olldashi, politician, former minister *

Nako Spiru Athanas Spiru, known as Nako Spiru, (4 January 1918 – 20 November 1947) was an Albanian politician and high-ranking official of the Communist Party of Albania (PKSh). He served as Minister of Economy and Industry from 1946 until his untimely de ...

, high-ranking official of the Communist Party of Albania and Minister of Economy and Industry from 1946 to 1947 * Ferdinand Xhaferraj, former Minister of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Youth and Sports

Athletics, sports and recreation

Football

;A–H * Arbër Aliu *

Artan Jazxhi Artan Jazxhi (born 6 July 2001) is an Albanian professional footballer who currently play as a centre-back for Albanian club Teuta Teuta (Illyrian languages, Illyrian: *''Teutana'', 'mistress of the people, queen'; grc, Τεύτα; lat, Te ...

, professional footballer *

Dritan Babamusta Dritan Babamusta (born 6 September 1981) is an Albanian former footballer who played as a midfielder. He has been capped once for Albania. Club career On 5 August 2006, Babamusta was released by Dinamo Tirana in a move which was dubbed a surp ...

Haxhi Ballgjini Haxhi Ballgjini (born 15 June 1958) is a former Albanian footballer who played for Dinamo Tirana, Partizani Tirana, Vllaznia Shkodër and Partizani Tirana and Lokomotiva Durrës, as well as the Albania national team. International career He ...

Shyqyri Ballgjini Shyqyri Ballgjini (born 14 March 1954) is a former Albanian footballer, who spent the most of his career, except one season, playing with Dinamo Tirana, as well as Albania national football team, Albania. During his career, Ballgjini has scored ...

Gentian Begeja Gentian Begeja (born 23 June 1973 in Durrës) is an Albanian former football player and coach who spent his entire career with Teuta Durrës Managerial career Begeja succeeded Gentian Stojku Gentian Stojku (born 22 July 1974) is an Albanian fo ...

Fabian Beqja Fabian Beqja (born 15 February 1994 in Durrës) is an Albanian professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Flamurtari. Club career Beqja started his career at hometown club Teuta Durrës, where in 2011 he joined the under-19 s ...

Safet Berisha Safet Berisha (11 November 1949 – 19 October 2016) was an Albanian football player who played for KF Teuta Durrës, Lokomotiva Durrës and FK Partizani Tirana, Partizani Tirana as well as the Albania national football team, Albania national tea ...

Niko Bespalla Niko Bespalla (1938 - 28 March 2017), was an Albanian footballer. Famous for his fierce shooting, he played for Lokomotiva Durrës, Partizani Tirana, Dinamo Tirana and Erzeni Shijak in his career. Club career He grew up in Durrës along wi ...

* Mario Dajsinani * Alfred Deliallisi *

Arbër Deliu Arbër Deliu (born 1 April 2000) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield position whose primary role is to stop attacks during the game and prevent the ...

Enkeleid Dobi Enkeleid Dobi (born 23 May 1975) is an Albanian football manager and a former player. He played for clubs in Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland and France as well as the Albania national team. Club career Dobi played as forward for NK Vartek ...

* Niko Dovana * Bajram Fraholli * Jurgen Goxha * Nazmi Gripshi * Fatmir Hima *

Bledar Hodo Bledar Hodo (born 21 June 1985) is an Albanian professional footballer who most recently played as a midfielder for Teuta Durrës in the Albanian Superliga. Club career Teuta Durrës On 1 February 2013, Hodo completed a transfer to Teuta Durrës ...

* Altin Hoxha * Fabio Hoxha * Rustem Hoxha *

Sulejman Hoxha Sulejman Hoxha (born 13 February 1990) is an Albanian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Career A product of the Dinamo Tirana academy, Hoxha was loaned out to Albanian First Division side KF Erzeni Shijak for the 2007–08 season in order t ...

* Klejdi Hyka ;I–R *

Skënder Jareci Skënder Jareci (5 May 1931 – 9 March 1984) was an Albanian former football manager and player. Jareci represented Teuta Durrës and Dinamo Tirana during his playing career and also won 8 caps for the Albania national team. He is the tenth a ...

* Elvis Kabashi * Dejvid Kapllani *

Edmond Kapllani Edmond Kapllani (born 31 July 1982) is a former Albanian footballer. Club career Born in Durrës, Albania, Kapllani began his career with KS Teuta Durrës, KF Partizani Tirana and KS Besa Kavajë in the Albanian Superliga. He also spent one ye ...

* Xhevahir Kapllani *

Artan Karapici Artan Karapici (born 19 April 1980 in Durrës) is an Albanian retired footballer who finished his career at Tërbuni Pukë in the Albanian Superliga. Having begun his career with Erzeni Shijak in 2001, he has since played for Vllaznia Shkodë ...

* Elton Koça *

Bledar Mançaku Bledar Mançaku (born 5 January 1982) is an Albanian retired footballer who played as a forward. He has previously played for Teuta Durrës, Shkumbini Peqin and Besa Kavajë at club level and the Albanian under-21 and senior sides internationall ...

* Gentian Manuka *

Kristi Marku Kristi Marku (born 13 April 1995 in Durrës) is an Albanian football player who plays for Gloria Buzău. International career Under-21 He received his first Albania under-21 call up by Skënder Gega in September 2014 for a friendly against Ro ...

Rexhep Memini Rexhep Memini (born 4 October 1994) is an Albanian professional association football, footballer. References

1994 births Living people Footballers from Durrës Albanian men's footballers Men's association football defenders Albania men's ...

* Mikaela Metalla * Agim Murati *

Stavri Nica Stavri Nica (born 8 July 1954) is an Albanian football coach who most recently was manager of KF Devolli in the Albanian First Division. Managerial career Nica replaced Elvis Plori as manager of KS Kastrioti, Kastrioti in October 2018. After winn ...

* Alfred Osmani *

Panajot Pano Panajot Thoma Pano ( el, Παναγιώτης Θωμάς Πάνου, Panayiotis Thomas Panou; 7 March 1939 – 19 January 2010) was an Albanian football player. He started his career as a goalkeeper in the 17 Nëntori Tirana youth academy, but ...

Armand Pasha Armand Pasha (born 17 January 1991) is an Albanian professional footballer who currently plays for Albanian First Division side Iliria Fushë-Krujë as a midfielder. Club career A product of the Teuta Durrës academy, Pasha was loaned out to ...

* Ermir Rezi *

Bledjan Rizvani Bledjan Rizvani (born 2 July 1985 in Durrës) is an Albanian professional footballer who most recently played as a goalkeeper for Albanian club Erzeni Shijak. Club career Teuta Durrës Rizvani was promoted to Teuta Durrës in the second part of ...

;S–Z *

Arlis Shala Arlis Shala (born 26 July 2000) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Kosovan club KF Drenica. Club career Early career Shala at the age of 10, he started playing football in Teuta Durrës. On 4 February 2017, in an ...

* Klaidi Shala * Orges Shehi *

Shaqir Stafa Shaqir Stafa (born 23 April 1987) is an Albanian footballer who most recently played for Erzeni Shijak in the Albanian First Division. Club career Stafa played the majority of his career for hometown club Teuta, except for some loan spells and ...

* Guido Tepshi * Mario Teqja * Edlir Tetova * Rejnaldo Troplini *

Artan Vila Artan Vila (born 4 May 1970) is a retired Albanian football defender. Club career Vila played the majority of his career for hometown club Teuta Durrës, with whom he won the 1994 league title. International career He made his debut for Albania ...

Emiljano Vila Emiljano Vila (born 12 March 1988) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Teuta Durrës in the Albanian Superliga and the Albania national football team. Club career Early career Vila started his care ...

* Lorenco Vila * Andi Xhixha

Other

Mirela Manjani Mirela Maniani ( el, Μιρέλα Μανιάνι, , 21 December 1976) is a Greek retired track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. Life and athletic achievements Albania Maniani was born as Mirela Manjani on 21 December 1976 in ...

, athlete *

Kreshnik Qato Kreshnik Nick Qato (born 13 August 1978) is an Albanian former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2014. He held multiple regional titles at super-middleweight, including the WBA Inter-Continental title in 2004 and the European Externa ...

, boxer *

Erald Dervishi Erald Dervishi (born 10 November 1979) is an Albanian chess grandmaster. He is a two-time Albanian Chess Champion. Chess career Born in 1979, Dervishi won the Albanian Chess Championship The Albanian Chess Championship is the annual individual ...

, chess player * Shkëlqim Troplini, wrestler

Art, photography, architecture

Andrea Alessi Andrea Alessi ( sq, Andrea Nikollë Aleksi, hr, Andrija Aleši, 1425–1505) was an Albanian architect and sculptor born in Durazzo (Albania Veneta), considered one of the most distinguished artists of Dalmatia. Alessi was born in Durazzo (mod ...

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

* Ibrahim Kodra,

painter Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and ai ...

John Koukouzelis John Koukouzelis ( gr, Ιωάννης Κουκουζέλης, ''Ioannis Koukouzelis''; ) was a Byzantine composer, singer and reformer of Byzantine chant. He was recognized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church after his death. Among the mo ...

or Jan Kukuzeli, Byzantine music composer *

Kristaq Rama Kristaq Rama (193230 July 1998) was an Albanian sculptor, art educator and a member of the Communist Party in Albania under Enver Hoxha's rule. He was the father of current Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Early life and education He was bor ...

, sculptor, art educator and the father of the Albanian PM,

Edi Rama Edi Rama (born Edvin Kristaq Rama, 4 July 1964) is an Albanian politician, painter, writer, former university lecturer, publicist and former basketball player, who has served as the 33rd and current Prime Minister of Albania since 2013 and chairm ...

* Helidon Xhixha, sculptor

Literature, journalism, filmography

* Avni Resuli, actor and director. *

Elvira Dones Elvira Dones (born 1960) is an Albanian novelist, screenwriter, and documentary film producer. Born in the coastal city of Durrës Dones graduated from the State University of Tirana. In 1988 she was employed by Albanian State Television and in ...

, novelist, screenwriter, and documentary film producer. * Moikom Zeqo, writer, archaeologist.

Scholars, science, academicians

* Jera Kruja, Professor of Neurology, Rector of the University of Medicine, Tirana * Leonik Tomeu, professor of Nicholas Copernicus at the

University of Padova The University of Padua ( it, Università degli Studi di Padova, UNIPD) is an Italian university located in the city of Padua, region of Veneto, northern Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 by a group of students and teachers from B ...

Religion and clergy

* Saint Astius of Durrës,

martyr A martyr (, ''mártys'', "witness", or , ''marturia'', stem , ''martyr-'') is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an externa ...

and Bishop of Dyrrhachium *

Pal Engjëlli Pal Ëngjëlli ( la, Paulus Angelus; 1416 – 1470) was an Albanian Roman Catholic cardinal, clergyman, scholar, and Archbishop of Durrës who in 1462 wrote the first known sentence retrieved so far in Albanian. Pal Ëngjëlli is reported to ...

, cardinal, clergyman, scholar, and Archbishop of Durrës *

Dom Nikollë Kaçorri Dom or DOM may refer to: People and fictional characters * Dom (given name), including fictional characters * Dom (surname) * Dom La Nena (born 1989), stage name of Brazilian-born cellist, singer and songwriter Dominique Pinto * Dom people, an ethn ...

, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence *

Franciscan The Franciscans are a group of related Mendicant orders, mendicant Christianity, Christian Catholic religious order, religious orders within the Catholic Church. Founded in 1209 by Italian Catholic friar Francis of Assisi, these orders include t ...

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

, bishop of Stephanium * Jan Kukuzeli, Medieval Albanian Christian composer

Others

* Ilir Hoti, economist and banker. *

Ina Rama Ina Rama (born 21 November 1972 in Durrës) was the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Albania from 2007 to 2012. She was appointed in 2007 to replace Theodhori Sollaku, who had been removed from office through a procedure later ruled uncon ...

, Magistrate, former Chief Prosecutor *

Hygerta Sako Hygerta Sako is an Albanian sports journalist at RTSH and former model who won Miss Albania in 1995 and represented Albania at Miss Europe 1996 Miss Europe 1996 was the 51st edition of the Miss Europe pageant and the 40th edition under the Mond ...

, former Miss Albania

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:List of people from Durres Durrës