Iljaz bej Mirahori has served to the Ottoman Empire during the period of the reign of sultan Bajaziti II, who gave the grade “lale” and the title “professor of the ottoman dynasty” of that time. Iljaz was married to the daughter of sultan Bajazit II with whom he had 3 sons. Then Iljaz bej Mirahori was displaced in Albania in the region of Korca where with the signature of the 4 fermans from the side of the sultan Bajaziti II, gave for keep some villages such as: Panariti, Treske, Trebicke, Katundi, Drenove, Boboshtice and Vithkuq. Getting married to the daughter of the sultan, the sultan himself exchanged Panarit with Leshnja and Vithkuq with Korca which at that time was called Peshkepi. He lived almost for 70 years in Korca. Iljaz bej Mirahori built the mosque of Korca around the year 1496, then he build the medresse, the school near it, the inns and the bazaar of Korca. In 1504 Iljaz bej Mirahori build the holy places and during the week he invited the poor to go there and to eat free. Also all the traders that come from Janine and Follorina, through Bilisht, stayed there and ate free. Iljaz bej Mirahori coming from Stamboll where he acquired a wide culture in all fields, created the socio-cultural basis of Korca and established the foundations of this city. There was a lot of charity in Iljaz’s soul and for this reason he was given the title “myteveli” from which Iljaz Mirahori’s descendants took the surname Myteveliu.
During the 17th-18th centuries the city was expanded especially after the burning of Voskopoja, there were built the houses with two floors like the houses of Berat. The upper floor was in a form of enclosed balconies. In 1723 it was founded the 1st Greek school. In 1783 Korca was taken by Ali Pashe Tepelena. During the 2nd half of the 19th century, Korca was turned into one of the biggest economic, trading and cultural centers of the area, with a huge and characteristic Bazaar, which occupied a prominent place among the cultural monuments of other cities of Albania. Previously, Korca was mentioned for the processing of wool, felt cloth and rugs.
During the period of the Renaissance the people of the region of Korca played an important role in the movement for the awaking of the national feeling. There came out famous patriots who fought for the homeland. One of these patriots was Naum Panajot Bredhi (Vegjilharxhi), the author of the 1st Albanian primer. Then it continued with Thimi Mitko, Spiro Dine and other patriots from Korca. Thimi Mitko (1820-1890) is another figure of the national movement who gave this movement not only the valuable literary work “Bleta Shqiptare” (The Albanian Bee) but even all his energy as an ideologist and as an activist on the advantage of the national matter. The years 60-70 of the 19th century are characterized by a heavy work of the renaissance figures to be organized in a patriotic society in order to help more effectively their enslaved homeland. The risks that threatened the country, because of the decisions of the Congress of Berlin, made the patriots fight for the safety of their nation. Lidhja Shqiptare e Prizrenit (The Albanian Alliance of Prizren) which organized the defense of their nation had the support of other patriots: Mitko, Jani Vreto, Spiro Dine and others who compiled literary works, scholastic books and they developed a militant publicity. After the dismiss of The Albanian Alliance of Prizren the patriots of the national movement didn’t interrupt their work for saving the homeland from the ottoman enslavement and the medieval feudal backwardness. In the circumstances created after the year 1881, the attention of our distinguished renaissance figures was centered in the creation of societies for the spread of national education as a weapon for the unity of all the nation against the ottoman reign. In 1885 in Korca was created a secret committee with Jovan Cico Kosturi the head of the committee and Thimi Marko, Orhan Pojani members of it. This secret committee of Korca continued its activity illegally for a long time. Another society was that of Bucharest called “Dituria” created in 1886. They developed great cultural activity for the awakening of national consciousness. “Dituria” published among others even the works of Sami and Naim Frasheri.
During the years of National Renaissance it was developed in Korca a huge activity supported by lots of patriots who had emigrated abroad. Fruit of these attempts were the opening of the 1st school “Mesonjetorja e Pare Shqipe” in 7 March 1887 and the 1st school of girls (Shkolla e pare e vajzave) in 1891. During this period there were distinguished a number of figures of rebellion for independence (1911-1912) and the attempts for the national culture. Korca was a support for the bands of Bajo Topullit, Cerciz Topullit, Mihal Gramenos and Themistokli Germenjit; there were published some of the 1st Albanian newspapers: “Korca”, “Lidhja Ortodokse” etc.
In 1908 it was published the weekly newspaper “Korca” which was a political, literary, and trading newspaper. The first issue appeared on 28 December and continued up to the 53rd issue in 1910 under the direction of Sami Pojanit. This newspaper treated the need for the political-cultural awakening of the nation, it unmasked the chauvinistic intentions of the neighbors and the anti Albanian policy of the Great Powers etc. There were also published translations whereas in 1910 it was added a Turkish page. In “Korca” newspaper there collaborated Mihal Grameno, Hile Mosi and other celebrities of that time.
In 1912-1914 the Greek chauvinistic troops occupied Korca and during the 1st World War it was occupied by Austro-Hungarian, then later from Greeks and then from the French troops (October 1916), who were removed in 1920. In December 10, 1916 it was created the Autonomous Republic which will be remembered even as “The French Republic of Korca”. With the help of French troops this republic began to print its banknote. The atmosphere was this: that day in the front of the building two flags were waving: the Albanian one with an eagle with two heads and the French and a three colored one: white, red and blue. Themistokli Germenji, the most famous person of the city, dressed in a redingote was the leader of the other delegates making the speech: “Due to the will of the Albanian people expressed by the delegates of the kaza of Korca and the regions of Bilisht, Kolonje, Opari and Gora, it was created the autonomous province administrated by Albanian officials under the protection of French military authority.” At this time Italia, Serbia, and Greece were the allies of France in the war against the forces of Boshtit, or Austrian, German, and Bulgarian armies. The invasion of Korca from the Greeks had made the French military actions unsafe, when Albanians had began a war against Greeks.
“The Protocol of the Republic of Korca” was in use for only a year, but although it was such a short time, this period left powerful traces in the life of the kaza of Korca. In February 16, 1918 the protocol is abrogated. The Balkan war and “The Great War” finished in 1918. In May 20, 1920, Paris decided that the French troops should leave the kaza of Korca till 28 May when it began their retreat.