Head north into Albanie for the country's tallest dam! Fierza and its vast power station will certainly appeal to engineering enthusiasts, perhaps less so to traditionalists. Fortunately, from the city, the ferry crossing on Lake Koman offers breathtaking views between mountains, rivers and traditional villages.

The History of Fierza

Archaeological excavations have uncovered Roman monuments, including a street, at Fierza (also spelled Fierzë). In the 1970s, the dam project on the Drin River in northern Albanie first created Lake Fierza, followed by Lake Koman in the 1980s. The municipality of Fierza previously straddled the territories of the Tropojë district north of the river and the Pukë district to the south. In 2015, local government finally reclassified it as a subdivision of the Tropojë municipality.

Fierza Today

Fierza is chiefly known for its imposing 152-meter-high dam—the tallest in Albanie. The local power station ranks among the country's most significant electricity generators. The Valbonë and several other rivers join the Drin River and flow through the city.

The Lake Koman Crossing: A Must-Do Journey from Fierza

Tourism in the region began to flourish from the 2000s onward, with the development of the Lake Koman ferry, which connects the hydroelectric power stations of Fierza and Koman. Travel publications rank this crossing among the world's most beautiful boat journeys, comparable to excursions through Scandinavian fjords. The crossing from Koman to Fierza and vice versa takes roughly three hours. You'll have plenty of time to contemplate the natural beauty of the landscape. It's easy to fall under the spell of views across mountain gorges and river mouths. The ferry occasionally stops at small villages perched on the lake's shores to pick up passengers. The journey continues in the company of locals and their animals, alongside numerous Albanian and international tourists. The atmosphere is convivial aboard a boat at full capacity.

Services in Need of Improvement for Better Tourism

The region's growing tourist traffic should motivate Fierza municipality to enhance its services. Beyond the traditional ferry, which operates year-round, guided tours—both private and in small groups—are frequently requested by visitors during the high season between May and September. At Fierza and along the shores of Lake Koman, visitors eagerly await small boats offering alternative ways to experience the waterway journey. On the accommodation front, beyond village houses and local inns, new lodging options need to be developed. Yet even if Fierza's tourism infrastructure and surrounding areas aren't quite fully developed, the region continues to attract visitors who seem satisfied with camping, traditional cuisine and organic food.

Speaking of camping, Berbull makes an excellent base for staying close to nature. It's also an opportunity to admire traditional Albanian dwellings called "kulla" that dot Lake Koman. The village offers easy access to the Daica and Shala rivers, whose panoramas seem lifted from a fairy tale.

Other possible stops on the route from Fierza to Koman include the Kaurri and Shala caves, Peace Island, the Gomina and Berisha rivers, Blood Creek, and the villages of Zhub, Temal, Svina, Salce, Berisha, Toplane, Palce, Temal, Nanbli, and others.

Climate

The Fierza region experiences a continental climate featuring spring in April and May, hot summers from June to August, a windy autumn season in September and October, and harsh winters from December to March.

The Lake Koman ferry connecting the town of Koman to Fierza operates daily year-round. During the high tourist season, taxi services run between Koman, Fierza and Breg-Lumi. Fierza is also accessible by road from Fushë-Arrëz to the south and the city of Bajram Curri, approximately 15 km to the north. A ferry on Lake Fierza leads to Kukës.

Outside the town and the Roman remains, which are best explored on foot, be sure to experience the Lake Koman ferry crossing.

What to Do in Fierza?

• Explore the Roman ruins of Fierza
• Take a boat journey on Lake Koman and Lake Fierza
• Camp at Berbull
• Taste traditional cuisine in surrounding villages
• Organize an excursion to Peace Island, and more