Zhej Village

The village of Zhej is located in the municipality of Zagorie, in Gjirokastër.  The current area is 1.500.00 ha.  The village is positioned to the east of Bucelthi Mountain, at an altitude of 605 m above sea level and is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and clean air.
It is an important area with natural, biological, landscape and scenic values ​​with potential for the development of ecological tourism.  It is connected to Çajup with two footpaths, one passes on the edge of Rripa (between Strakavec and Bucelth) and the other on the southeast side of the latter.
 According to the data, it is an ancient settlement.  Tombs and ceramics from the ancient period were found in Belenat and Vërri to Zheji.  Zheji was initially positioned about 2 km to its northeast.  Mentioned in c.  XI a large monastery and in the records of the Ottomans in the c.  XV-XVI.  It should be noted that the corners of the magnificent house of: Vangjel Zhapa in Labova e Zhapa were prepared from the stone of Zheji, carved with skill.  The efforts of Zheji's patriots to learn the Albanian language increased in the second decade of the 20th century and in 1910 the emigrants Jano Marka and Spiro Vllahu brought primers and books in their native language.  The Albanian school was opened in 1917 with two teachers, one Italian, who also taught the Italian language.