Located in southern Albania, the city of Vlora, or Valona in its ancient name, was once a principality of independent states. The city was first captured by the Serbian Empire in 1345, but was not occupied by the empire until 1417. After becoming an important center for sanjak in Rumeli Eyaleti, Vlora was restored to Turkish rule in 1691. The city was then a centre for Sephardic Jewish refugees from Spain and Portugal.
The population of Vlore is approximately 188,000, making it the third largest city in Albania. The city is located on the Adriatic Sea, and has a beautiful bay. The town is surrounded by palm trees and is about 50 miles from Italy and 100 miles north of Greece. The city is also home to several famous museums and has a rich history. Located on the southern coast of Albania, Vlore is close to the Italian cities of Bari and Otranto, as well as the Salento coasts in Puglia.