Ceraunian Mountains

The Ceraunian Mountains (Malet e Vetëtimës,, 'Thunderbolt Mountains') are a coastal mountain range in southwestern Albania, within the Vlorë County.

The mountain range rises on the northeastern bank of the Ionian Sea and protrudes into the Adriatic Sea. It extends for approximately 100 km in a southeast-northwest direction near Sarandë, along the Albanian Riviera, close to Orikum. Geologically, the Karaburun Peninsula belongs to the Ceraunian Mountains, and is separated from the rest by the Llogara Pass (1027 m) forming the western part of the Ceraunian mountain range, called Acroceraunian Mountains (Malet Akrokeraune). The mountains are about 24 km long and about 4-7 km wide. The highest peak is Çikë with an elevation of 2044 m.

Name
In classical antiquity, the name of the mountains was recorded in Ancient Greek as Κεραύνια ὄρη Keraunia ore, meaning "thunder-split peaks". The western part of the mountain chain is called Ἀκροκεραύνια Akrokeraunia, meaning 'Cape Thunder' which referred to the modern Karaburun peninsula. Both names Ceraunia and Acroceraunia illustrate the bad weather and the danger found there by ancient seafarers and travellers. Moreover, the Acroceraunian promontory located on the western side of the bay of Vlorë (ancient Aulon) equates to the modern Karaburun Peninsula also known as cape Linguetta.

In Latin the name of the mountains was recorded as Ceraunii montes or Acroceraunii montes. In Albanian, the native name of the mountains is Malet e Vetëtimës, while Malet Akrokeraune contains the ancient name. In Modern Greek the name of the mountains is Κεραύνια Όρη Keraunia Ori.

Geology
The range consists of Çikë 2045 m and Qorre 2018 m, which are the roughest and most rugged parts of the southwestern relief, due to their extension in the Ionian and Sazan tectonic zones. The mountain range is divided by dry streams and deep abysses, with sparsely covered vegetation, dominated by pine trees (up to 600–800 m) in the lower part and conifers (black pine, spruce, hemlock, etc.) in the upper part.

History
In classical antiquity, the Ceraunian Mountains represented a natural border between the historical and geographical regions of Illyria and Epirus. As a border region to the north of these mountains Illyrian populations were located, while the Epirotes, in particular the Chaonians, were located in the south of these mountains.

In Hellenistic times, Çikë formed the southern border of the territory of the Greek polis of Oricum. In that period Çika also separated the territory of Oricum from the tribe of the Amantes to the east, who built the fortified settlement of Cerje beyond Shëngjergji Pass.

The Akrokeraunian peninsula had the most important stone quarries in Illyria. Most of the quality limestone used for the construction of temples and monuments in the Greek polis of Apollonia, in particular, came from there, perhaps after the conquest of Thronion c. 450 BC.

According to Ancient Greek mythology, the Abantes from Euboea who had previously joined the Ancient Greek army in the Trojan War settled in the Ceraunian Mountains. They were later expelled by the forces from Apollonia.

The Ceraunian Mountains have been described by ancient writers such as Ptolemy, Strabo and Pausanias. Consequently, the mountains are still known under their classical name. Julius Caesar first set foot on Llogara Pass and rested his legion at Palaeste on the Ionian coast during his pursuit of Pompey.

During the 15th-16th centuries the warlike community of the region of Himara emerged.

Cult and mythology
Zeus, the central figure of the Greek Pantheon, was associated with the Ceraunian Mountains being a popular deity among the Chaonians as well as the rest of northern Greece as Zeus Chaonius.

It was said that Geryones guarded his cattle in those mountains.