📍History & Origins

Shelegar is a village in the Sarandë Municipality of southern Albania, 7 minutes from the coastal city of Sarandë.

The name Shelegar comes from the Albanian word shelegu  which means sheep, reflecting the importance of sheep herding and livestock in the community. 

Early settlers included mostly Çamë families along with some Toscan families from Podgoran (Përmet) and a few Lab families. 

👩‍🌾 Population & Lifestyle

Traditionally, residents engaged in animal husbandry and agriculture, with sheep raising being a mainstay of local life. 

The water in the village is naturally sourced from the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër).

The village has gained popularity in the recent years, with visitors coming from France, UK, Spain and Italy.

👨‍👩‍👧 Community & Culture

Residents are described as hardworking, hospitable, and deeply connected to traditional cuisine and rural life. 

The village’s quiet, rural character and proximity to Sarandë also mean it appears occasionally as a stop for visitors interested in traditional lifestyles. 

The locals in Shelegar are very connected with their families and they gather altogether in many occassions. There are around 213 people residing and living  in Shelegar.