On the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec there is an ancientIllyrian fortress believed to have been known as Encheleana. In the MiddleAges this fortress was reconstructed and the place was renamed by the Bulgarians,who invaded Southeastern Albania at this time. (Pogradec, Pod Grad - theplace beneath the fortress ). 

During the Eighteenth century under Turkish occupation, the town becamean administrative centre, but was largely destroyed ruing the World WarI, again during the Italian-Greek War of 1940-1941 and twice during theNational Liberation War (1941-1944); however a number of characteristichouses have been preserved as cultural monuments. 

Pogradec has a population of 15,000 inhabitants. It is a centre of thefood industry, noted for its canned fruits, vegetables and dairy products.There are also factories producing furniture, tobacco and knitwear. Pogradechas an excellent bathing beach and has a great future as a tourist centre.The environment offers an alpine like scenery of rare beauty. The loftymountains of Kamja and Guri i Topit stand over it like a crown.