Korça is known as the "cradle of Albanian culture" and is the largest city within the region. Historical documents refrencing the city date from the early medieval period - the first half of the XVth century - when Korca province was the property of Muzakajt, one of the feudal families of that time.

The city has served as a very important trading market. Throughout the centuries Albanian caravans began their travels from here to Turkey, Greece, and Russia.

In the second half of the 19th century, the city rose to be a very important economic, trade and cultural centre. Korça city today remains the most important economic and cultural center in the region. It exhibits eastern characteristics, along with traces of French influence in its urban scheme and grand architectural planning.

The first Albanian language school, orignially for boys only, opened in 1887 and today it houses the National Education Museum. A separate school for females was opened in 1891. A French Lyceum opened in Korca in 1917 following independence.

Korça patriots were well organized from 1906 - 1912, and took part actively in the movement to liberate the country from Ottoman occupation. One of the most famous Albanian sculptors, Odhise Paskal, immortalized the freedom movement with the monument “National Hero” depicting men descending from the mountains to liberate the city. Korca enjoyed a heightened period of prosperity in the interwar period when many of its characteristic cultural institutions, mansions and boulevards were built.

The city of Korça continues to highlight its sophisticated and historic urban values by taking great pride in being a welcoming and accessible city. Visitors can experience this by walking through the city's many parks, clean streets and characteristic cobblestone walkways and roads.