TIRANA
The Capital of Albania
Kryeqyteti i Shqipëris
TIRANA
The Capital of Albania
Kryeqyteti i Shqipëris
Overview
Overview of Tirana
Overview
The city of Tirana is the capital of Albania. It became the capital on the 11th of February 1920. Prior to that event, the seaside port of Durres held the title. Since then, it has become the home of politics and public relations. The capital has seen the country shift from a republic to a kingdom, to being annexed to the Italian Empire, to then being a communist republic, to finally being a democratic country. The main attractions of the city comprise of Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku district. The square is named after Albania’s national hero ‘Skanderbeg’ (Gjerji Kastrioti). He is remembered fondly for his brave efforts of defending his nation from the Ottoman Empire. The square also contains Tirana’s top attractions, this includes: the Bunker Museum (Bunk’Art 2), Et’hem Bey Mosque, The National History Museum, the clock tower, and of course the equestrian statue of Skanderbeg himself. The Blloku district is the entertainment neighbourhood of Tirana. Here you’ll find many cafes, bars, and nightclubs. The capital has a few daytrips that are worth exploring; this includes Durres, Elbasan, and Kruja. The town of Durres is a summer resort for the residence of Tirana. It has a beach of 10km and a large Roman Amphitheatre. The town of Elbasan is known for its ‘Summer Day Festival’. This occurs every year on the 14th of March. The town of Kruja is the birthplace and rule of Skanderbeg. Besides its historical context, the place has an elegant castle complex and a small Bazaar (Traditional Ottoman-style markets).
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Sights & Trips
The Blloku neighborhood was formally privatized by the communist party. Only the elites were allowed to enter. The neighborhood was finally opened to the public at the liberation of communism in 1992. Now, it’s the entertainment district of Tirana. The neighborhood comprises of many cafes, bars, and nightclubs.
The pyramid was originally designed as a museum dedicated to the legacy of Enver Hoxha by his daughter and son in law. The building was completed in 1988 after his death. After the fall of the communist regime in 1992, the building then change to a convention center. It then became a refuge center for the people of Kosovo during the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia. On the turn of the 21st century, it became a nightclub. Now, it’s an abandon building covered with graffiti. The locals use it as a recreational activity for climbing, as the building is on a slope.
A large public square in the center of Tirana. The area comprises of many attractions and history; this includes; The equestrian statue of Albania’s national hero ‘Skanderbeg’. The Bunker Museum (Bunk’Art 2), which provides a full tour of an underground bunker, and the cruelty of Albania’s communist regime. The Et’hem Bey Mosque, which was preserved from destruction during the atheist era of the 20th century, and it’s notably one of the oldest buildings in the city. The National History Museum, which is the largest museum in Albania, contains most of the nation’s archaeological treasures (e.g a replica of Skanderbeg sword), and provides a detail linear of Albania’s history from Illyrian times to post-communism. And the clock tower, which provides stunning views of the public square. Prior to 1991, there was a 10 metre bronze statue of Enver Hoxha, however it was pulled down and destroyed by an angry protest.
Once was the capital of Albania, now it’s virtually an extension of Tirana. Durres is known as a summer resort for the residence of Tirana. The town has 10km of beach and a large Roman Amphitheater (Amphitheater of Durres). The amphitheater was built in 2nd century AD, and at its prime it could cater between 15,000 to 20,000 spectators. However, it was only rediscovered in 1966. Today, the amphitheater has a few houses that occupy the stage, and a Byzantine chapel.
The town is known for its Summer day festival, which is hosted every year on the 14th of March. The festival comprises of parades, concerts, and various entertainments.
Famously known as the birthplace of Albania’s national hero ‘Skanderbeg’. He is remembered for defending Kruja from the Ottoman Empire until his death. Skanderbeg or Gjerji Kastrioti (his original name) was the son of an Albanian Prince. However, he was handed as a hostage to the Ottoman Empire, who converted his religion to Islam and gave him military education. In his new life in Edirne (present day Turkey), he had a name change to Iskander, which means Alexander in English. The name was given as an honor to Alexander the Great. Sultan Murat II, the ruler of the Ottoman Empire, promoted Iskander to the rank of Bey, which means governor in English. This is how Skanderbeg got his name (Iskander [drop the i] + Bey [replace the y with g] = Skander-beg). In 1443, Skanderbeg fled to Kruja after the Ottomans were defeated by the Hungarians at Nis (present day Serbia). In the same year, he established his government in Kruja. Skanderbeg and his army was able to withhold 13 Ottoman invasions and 3 besieges by his former commander (Murat II). Pope Calixtus III honored Skanderbeg by naming him the ‘captain general of the Holy See’. Skanderbeg died in 1468 at the age of 62, due to Malaria. In 1478, the Ottomans finally conquered Kruja. The main attractions of Kruja are found in the castle complex. The National Ethnographic Museum, is a traditional 19th century Ottoman Home; the home shows how the Toptani family produced their own food, drink, leather, and weaponry. The home also includes a mini Turkish bath, a watermill, and frescoes from 1764. The Skanderbeg Museum, which was designed by the daughter and son-in-law of Enver Hoxha, was opened to the public in 1982. The museum contains giant statues, battle murals, armor replicas, and paintings. The town of Kruja has its own little unique Bazaar (Traditional market). The Ottoman-style market is regarded as the best place in the country for souvenir shopping. Here you’ll find antique gems, traditional ware, tablecloths, and cutlery. Furthermore, you can watch women using ‘looms’, which is an apparatus for creating fabric by weaving yarn. Afterwards, you can purchase the result.
The Blloku neighborhood was formally privatized by the communist party. Only the elites were allowed to enter. The neighborhood was finally opened to the public at the liberation of communism in 1992. Now, it’s the entertainment district of Tirana. The neighborhood comprises of many cafes, bars, and nightclubs.
The pyramid was originally designed as a museum dedicated to the legacy of Enver Hoxha by his daughter and son in law. The building was completed in 1988 after his death. After the fall of the communist regime in 1992, the building then change to a convention center. It then became a refuge center for the people of Kosovo during the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia. On the turn of the 21st century, it became a nightclub. Now, it’s an abandon building covered with graffiti. The locals use it as a recreational activity for climbing, as the building is on a slope.
A large public square in the center of Tirana. The area comprises of many attractions and history; this includes; The equestrian statue of Albania’s national hero ‘Skanderbeg’. The Bunker Museum (Bunk’Art 2), which provides a full tour of an underground bunker, and the cruelty of Albania’s communist regime. The Et’hem Bey Mosque, which was preserved from destruction during the atheist era of the 20th century, and it’s notably one of the oldest buildings in the city. The National History Museum, which is the largest museum in Albania, contains most of the nation’s archaeological treasures (e.g a replica of Skanderbeg sword), and provides a detail linear of Albania’s history from Illyrian times to post-communism. And the clock tower, which provides stunning views of the public square. Prior to 1991, there was a 10 metre bronze statue of Enver Hoxha, however it was pulled down and destroyed by an angry protest.
Once was the capital of Albania, now it’s virtually an extension of Tirana. Durres is known as a summer resort for the residence of Tirana. The town has 10km of beach and a large Roman Amphitheater (Amphitheater of Durres). The amphitheater was built in 2nd century AD, and at its prime it could cater between 15,000 to 20,000 spectators. However, it was only rediscovered in 1966. Today, the amphitheater has a few houses that occupy the stage, and a Byzantine chapel.
The town is known for its Summer day festival, which is hosted every year on the 14th of March. The festival comprises of parades, concerts, and various entertainments.
Famously known as the birthplace of Albania’s national hero ‘Skanderbeg’. He is remembered for defending Kruja from the Ottoman Empire until his death. Skanderbeg or Gjerji Kastrioti (his original name) was the son of an Albanian Prince. However, he was handed as a hostage to the Ottoman Empire, who converted his religion to Islam and gave him military education. In his new life in Edirne (present day Turkey), he had a name change to Iskander, which means Alexander in English. The name was given as an honor to Alexander the Great. Sultan Murat II, the ruler of the Ottoman Empire, promoted Iskander to the rank of Bey, which means governor in English. This is how Skanderbeg got his name (Iskander [drop the i] + Bey [replace the y with g] = Skander-beg). In 1443, Skanderbeg fled to Kruja after the Ottomans were defeated by the Hungarians at Nis (present day Serbia). In the same year, he established his government in Kruja. Skanderbeg and his army was able to withhold 13 Ottoman invasions and 3 besieges by his former commander (Murat II). Pope Calixtus III honored Skanderbeg by naming him the ‘captain general of the Holy See’. Skanderbeg died in 1468 at the age of 62, due to Malaria. In 1478, the Ottomans finally conquered Kruja. The main attractions of Kruja are found in the castle complex. The National Ethnographic Museum, is a traditional 19th century Ottoman Home; the home shows how the Toptani family produced their own food, drink, leather, and weaponry. The home also includes a mini Turkish bath, a watermill, and frescoes from 1764. The Skanderbeg Museum, which was designed by the daughter and son-in-law of Enver Hoxha, was opened to the public in 1982. The museum contains giant statues, battle murals, armor replicas, and paintings. The town of Kruja has its own little unique Bazaar (Traditional market). The Ottoman-style market is regarded as the best place in the country for souvenir shopping. Here you’ll find antique gems, traditional ware, tablecloths, and cutlery. Furthermore, you can watch women using ‘looms’, which is an apparatus for creating fabric by weaving yarn. Afterwards, you can purchase the result.