Muhammad al-Idrisi [1100–1165] was a prominent geographer Arabic. He was born in Ceuta in North Africa and is said to have studied in Cordoba, travelling widely in Andalusia and North Africa. For reasons that are not clear, he settled at the court of King Roger II of Sicily (reigned 1105–1154), for whom he compiled a geography of the known world. This work, known as the Book of Roger [Tabula Rogeriana], is divided into seven climatic zones. It was completed in 1154 and provides some useful information on Albania and Macedonia.
By: Muhammad al-Idrisi
Translated into English: Robert Elsie[1]
Albanian translation: Telegrafi.com
We can say that the Venetian territory, the land of the Slavs and, in general, everything that is washed by the Adriatic Sea is surrounded on the East by a mountain range that begins 30 miles from Adrianople (Edirne). These mountains are called Lessû (Lezha) and on their summit is a city of the same name. They extend northward to Kastoria and there is also a mountain range opposite Drast (Durrës), through which the road leading to that city and beyond passes. There, this mountain range is called al-Tamûra (Tomorr). Three rivers that flow towards Lablûna (Vlorë) and Durrës have their source there. The first river, that of Vlorë, is called Shuzza (Vjosa), the second is called Dâblî (Devolli), and the third is called Istriţa (Drini). This range then extends from the road to Durrës to 40 miles away, to Jâdhra (Zare). From the point nearest to Adrianople and the city of Ioannina, there is a mountain range that extends to the gulf of the Peloponnesian Sea and ends 80 miles from Thebes. Naupactus is located on the coast, at the foot of this range.
]As for the mountain of Lezha, to which we have referred, it is located 15 miles from Durrës. From the city of Lezha to Duljîna (Ulqin) on the Adriatic Sea are 30 miles. And from there to the mountain are 12 miles.
This mountain range extends, first, to Antibra (Tivar), a beautiful city built on a mountain slope three miles from the sea, as well as the mountain itself; second, to Qadara (Kotor), a place situated three miles from the mountains at the edge of one of the ranges; and, third, to the city of Ragusa (Dubrovnik), also situated at the edge of the mountains.
Opposite the city of Kotor, of which we have spoken, and beyond the mountains at a distance of 15 miles, lies Qâmyû,[2] a flourishing city, situated near a mountain range that surrounds it in the shape of a kâf,[3] so that you can only enter it from one side.
The mountain range continues towards Stagnoi (Ston), where a high and large mountain massif rises, on which the city is built. It then extends to Asbâlatû (Split) ...
Between the Adriatic Sea and the Straits of Constantinople there are many famous places, cities and capitals. We intend, with God's help, to mention them in order and in detail. As such, we say that the route from Durrës to Achrisopolis (Chrysopolis) is as follows:
From Durrës, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, traveling overland in the direction of Constantinople, one first reaches Petrelë, situated on a hill, at a distance of two days' journey. From there, it is another four days to Ohrid (Ohrid). This city is notable for its importance in trade and prosperity. It is built on a beautiful hill not far from a large lake, where they fish by boat. There is much cultivated land around the lake, which is located south of the city. The perimeter of the lake takes a little more than three days' journey.
From there it is two days' journey to Bûlghû (Pollog/Tetovo), a beautiful city situated on the top of a high mountain. A day further, to the northeast, is Asqûfia (Skopje), a large city surrounded by cultivated land, with many vineyards and fields. /Telegraph/
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[1] Excerpts from: H. Bresc & A. Nef (eds.): Idrîsî, la première géographie de l'Occident, Paris 1999, p. 401-403; and E. Cerulli, F. Gabrieli, G. Levi della Vida, L. Petech, G. Tucci (ed.): Al-Idrisi, Opus Geographicum, folio V, Naples & Rome 1975, pp. 792-793. Translated by Robert Elsie. Originally published in R. Elsie: Early Albania, a Reader of Historical Texts, 11th - 17th Centuries, Wiesbaden 2003, pp. 21-22.
[2] Unidentified place.
[3] The 22nd letter of the Arabic alphabet.
