Bizë

Bizë also known as Bixë is a village in the former municipality of Shëngjergj in Tirana County, Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became part of the municipality Tirana.

Geography

Bizë is a village situated in eastern Tirana County, central Albania, at an elevation of approximately 1314m above sea level  . The village lies within a mountainous basin encompassed by the Mali me Gropa–Bizë–Martanesh Nature Park, a protected area renowned for its karst formations, limestone ridges, and glacial terrain  .

To the east and northeast, Bizë is bordered by the rugged slopes of the Martanesh highlands, characterized by steep limestone peaks and dense forests  . To the west, the terrain gradually descends into the inner valleys of Tirana County.  South of the village lies a small alpine lake, accompanied by a stream that meanders through the basin, contributing to the area's hydrological features.

The surrounding landscape includes deep sinkholes, rolling plateaus, and forested ridges typical of Albania’s central mountainous corridor.  The forests are primarily composed of black pine (Pinus nigra), silver fir (Abies alba), and European beech (Fagus sylvatica), reflecting the region’s inclusion in the Dinaric alpine mixed forests ecoregion  . These woodlands contribute to the area's distinct alpine setting and natural seclusion.

Climate

Bizë has a humid continental climate (''Köppen: Dfb''), defined by cold winters, mild to hot summers, and pronounced seasonal contrasts. Situated in the easternmost and most inland part of Tirana County, Bizë lies at a climatic crossroads where Mediterranean influences recede and colder, drier air masses from the Balkan interior take hold. Nestled between rugged mountains and an open plateau, the village's setting amplifies these continental conditions. As a result, Bizë marks a clear shift from Albania’s typical coastal and lowland climates to the more severe patterns characteristic of the interior highlands.

Precipitation

Bizë receives an average annual precipitation of approximately 1914 mm, which is considered abundant. Unlike the Mediterranean climate zones of western coastal Albania, which exhibit a distinct dry season during summer, Bizë experiences relatively even precipitation throughout the year. This pattern is characteristic of its humid continental classification and is influenced by its inland position and elevation, resulting in frequent snowfall in winter and regular rainfall during the warmer months.

Temperature

Bizë has an average annual temperature of approximately 5.8 °C, markedly lower than the 15.1 °C recorded in Tirana, reflecting the effects of both elevation and inland location on thermal conditions. It is widely regarded as the coldest permanently inhabited settlement in Tirana County and holds the record for ''The Lowest reliably measured temperature in an inhabited area in Albania: −34.7 °C.'' While such extremes are rare, this value not only represents the coldest on record within the county but also stands as the lowest confirmed temperature ever recorded in any populated area of the country, highlighting the climatic severity possible in Albania’s interior highlands.

References

Populated places in Tirana
Villages in Tirana County

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