Цинцари у Битољу

Abstract

Bitolj did not enter scientific annals because of its important geographic position, but also because of an old Balkan population, originally from present-day southern Albania, which had preserved itself in the town for about 150 years, or some six generations. The group comprised Tzintzars, or Vlachs (Aromanians). In 1900 they numbered 7,000 people, falling to 5,000 in 1913. According to the official census of 1953, there were 483 Tzintzars in Bitolj with some 100 households. Censuses of subsequent date have failed to cite the number of Tzintzars in Bitolj. Unfortunately, science has failed to research them enough. The opportunity is missed.