Laç

41°38′7″N 19°42′47″E / 41.63528°N 19.71306°E / 41.63528; 19.71306Country AlbaniaCountyLezhëMunicipalityKurbin • Municipal unit13.5 km² (5.2 sq mi)Elevation27 m (89 ft)Population • Municipal unit17,086 • Municipal unit density1,300/km² (3,300/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal CodeArea Code(0)53

Laç (pronounced [lat͡ʃ]; Albanian definite form: Laçi) is a town and a former municipality in Lezhë County, northwestern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision and the seat of the municipality Kurbin.^[1] It was the administrative center of the former Kurbin District. The population at the 2011 census was 17,086.^[2] Its associated football club is KF Laçi.

Laç is served by Laç Railway Station.

Name

Laç means swampy land in Albanian. Similar toponyms in Albania are Laç-Bruç, Kodër-Laç, Përroi i Laçit, Fushë-Laç etc.^[3]

Demographic history

Laç is recorded in the Ottoman defter of 1467 as a hass-ı mir-liva property in the vilayet of Kurbin. The settlement had only four households which were represented by the following household heads: Pal Suma, Nikolla Smaka, Gjergj Marku, and Tanush Znishi.^[4]

Church of St. Anthony

Known as "Kisha e Laçit" or "Kisha e Shna Ndout" in Albanian, this church is dedicated to St Anthony of Padua.

Notable people

• Eduin Ujka (born 1995), footballer.
• Qazim Laçi, (born 1996) footballer with origins from Laç.
• Salvador Gjonaj, (born 26 September 1992) footballer.
• Pope Clement XI (Latin: Clemens XI; Italian: Clemente XI; 23 July 1649 – 19 March 1721), born Giovanni Francesco Albani, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 23 November 1700 to his death in March 1721. He’s from the Albani family which has its origins in Laçi.
• Alessandro Albani (1692–1779), Italian aristocrat and cardinal. He’s from the Albani family which has its origins in Laçi.
• Annibale Albani (1682–1751), Italian cardinal. He’s from the Albani family which has its origins in Laçi.
• Francesco Albani (1578–1660) Baroque painter. He’s from the Albani family which has its origins in Laçi.
• Gian Girolamo Albani (1504–1591), he’s from the Albani family which has its origins in Laçi.
• Gian Francesco Albani (1720–1803), Roman Catholic cardinal. He’s from the Albani family which has its origins in Laçi.

See also

• Saint Anthony Church
• Cave of Saint Blaise

References