Koplik

Quick Facts: Who was Koplik?

Subject:

Koplik

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Town and former municipality in northwestern Albania, known as the trade center of Malësi e Madhe.

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Origins & Early Life

Koplik (also known as Koplik i Poshtëm) is a town and former municipality in northwestern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform, it became a subdivision, and the seat of the municipality Malësi e Madhe. It was the seat of the former Malësi e Madhe District. The population at the 2011 census was 3,734. It is situated north of the city of Shkodër.

Career & Major Achievements

As of June 2016, Koplik has been registered and administered as an international 'free economic trade zone' by the Albanian government. The name occurs as Cupelnich around 1200 in the work of Presbyter Diocleas; Kupêlnik in 1348; Copenico in 1416; Chopilich in 1614 in the report of the Venetian writer Mariano Bolizza; Coppilico on the 1688 map of the Venetian cartographer Francesco Maria Coronelli; Coplico on the 1689 map of the Italian cartographer Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola; and as Copelico in the 1703 report of the Catholic Archbishop of Bar [Antivari], Vincentius Zmajevich. Cupionich was mentioned by Mariano Bolizza in 1614, being part of the Sanjak of Scutari. It was Roman Catholic, had 60 houses, and 130 men at arms commanded by Pecha Campersa. Koplik, being a border town, has a long history of warfare.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical importance of Koplik owes much to the Malësor tribesmen. Their fierce independent nature insured that Koplik was often embroiled in wars against the Ottomans and the Serbs though much of its history. In the town itself there is a monument commemorating the Koplik War which took place in 1920 when the Albanian forces successfully defeated the Yugoslav forces. After the first world war and the partition of Malsia e Madhe into two component parts, the area surrounding Tuzi was given to the Kingdom of Montenegro whilst the area around Koplik remained Albanian with Koplik being created the regional capital of Malsia e Madhe. During the Ottoman occupation, many of the inhabitants of the town converted to Islam, although the rural population in Malësia e Madhe continued to be mainly Catholic.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1200: 1200 Milestone — The name occurs as Cupelnich around 1200 in the work of Presbyter Diocleas; Kupêlnik in 1348; Copenico in 1416; Chopilich in 1614 in the report of the Venetian writer Mariano Bolizza; Coppilico on the 1688 map of the Venetian cartographer Francesco Maria Coronelli; Coplico on the 1689 map of the Italian cartographer Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola; and as Copelico in the 1703 report of the Catholic Archbishop of Bar [Antivari], Vincentius Zmajevich.
2. 1614: 1614 Milestone — Cupionich was mentioned by Mariano Bolizza in 1614, being part of the Sanjak of Scutari.
3. 1920: 1920 Milestone — In the town itself there is a monument commemorating the Koplik War which took place in 1920 when the Albanian forces successfully defeated the Yugoslav forces.
4. 2011: 2011 Milestone — The population at the 2011 census was 3,734.
5. 2015: 2015 Milestone — At the 2015 local government reform, it became a subdivision, and the seat of the municipality Malësi e Madhe.
6. 2016: 2016 Milestone — As of June 2016, Koplik has been registered and administered as an international 'free economic trade zone' by the Albanian government.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Koplik

True or False: “The name Koplik was consistently recorded by Venetian cartographers using the spelling 'Copelico' throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While various spellings exist (e.g., Coppilico, Coplico), the record shows a progression of names rather than consistent use of only 'Copelico'.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Koplik