ALBANIAN BEAUTY

ALBANIAN BEAUTY Cities of Albania

TIRANATIRANA has been the capital of Albania since 1920.It is relatively new city established in 1614... more from SulejmanBargjini, feudal of the area at the time. The city began to grow at thebeginning of the 18th century.“Tirana “, it is thought that comes from the word “ Theranda”,mentioned in the ancient Greek and Latin sources, that aboriginescalled Te Ranat, because the field was formed as a result of stiffmaterials that the waters from the surrounding mountains brought.Today Tirana is not only the mostpopulated city in Albania, but also thebiggest political and economic centre inthe country. The Adriatic Sea and Dajtimountains are near to the city. It takesyou less than one hour drive to reach thesea. A Great Park with an artificial lake islocated immediately at the southernpart of the city.

What to visit in TIRANA?• The Mosque of Ethem Bey is situated just at the centre of Tirana. It was constructed in 1789. Together with the Clock Tower (1830) they make an important historic part of Tirana.• Government buildings represent architectonic values. They were built in the year 1930, when Albania was a kingdom. After the Second World War several buildings were erected:... more The Palace of Culture, The Palace of Congresses, The National Historic Museum, The Centre of International Culture etc.• The bridge of Tabakeve is situated along the boulevard “Zhan Dark”. It belongs to the XVIII century.• The fortress of Pertrela is located at south of Tirana on the right side of national road linking capital with the city of Elbasan.... more It was built up by the middle age. The castle was under the command of Scanderbeg sister, Mamica Kastrioti. Petrela castle used to control the Egnatia road, the Durres - Tirana branch, a part that for that time had a particular importance. This castle was also part of the signaling and defending system of the castle of Kruja. These castles used to communicate with each other through fire signals.• The fortress of Preza belongs to the XV century. It has a very nice and dominant position in front of Kruja Mountain. This castle is declared as a \"Monument of Culture\".• Martyrs Cemetery which contains the “Mother Albania” monument.• The Tomb of Kapllan Pasha was built in 1814. It honors Kaplan Pasha, who ruled Tirana in the early 19th century. Museums: National Historic Museum; Archaeological Museum; Gallery of Fine Arts;

VLORAVLORA is a coastal city. It is not only one of the majorports, but also of great historical importance as it was herethat in 1912 the Assembly ... more was convened toproclaim Albania as an independent state and to set up thefirst National Government headed by Ismail Qemali. ThusVlore became the first capital city in independent Albania.One can learn more about thebackground of this event at theMuseum of Independence. On ahill above the city one can enjoythe religious place of “KuzumBaba”. From there you can see thebeach and the view of the wholecity.

What to visit in VLORA?• Ethnographic Museum• Historic Museum• The Museum of Independence• Kanina Castle is believed to have been erected in the 3rd century B.C.• Apollonia represents one of the most important archaeological sites of Albania. The most interesting objects to be visited are the magnificent wall of Agonothetes II Century B.C.• Pojan Monasteryis not far away from the ancient town of Apollonia and it is famous for the beautiful St. Mary's Chapel. This is an ancient monastery and was reconstructed by the Byzantine Emperor, Andronicus Palaeologus the Second.• Muradie Mosqueis a sultan-style mosque, with a dome that was built in the 2nd half of the 16th century. The design and construction of this mosque were carried out by Sinan, an architect of Albanian origin who was one of the great mosque builders in the Ottoman Empire.• Oricum is an ancient town that used to be a civilized urban centre and has various archaeological ruins... more , such as part of an Orchestra, a small theatre, which is thought to have seated 400 spectators, traces of wall ruins and streets that are clearly seen, albeit lying under the water of the lagoon, and the Marmiroi Church. This is a church of dating back to the early Byzantine period.• Ali Pasha's Castle-Porto Palermo Bay is a small castle located on a lovely peninsula in the small tectonic bay of Porto Palermo. Ali Pasha built the castle in honor of his wife Vasiliqi.• Church of St. Stephan, Monastery, Church of Panajia (Dhërmi). The village of Dhërmi goes back to at least the first century B.C. The village used to have 31 churches.... more The icons of the Church of St. Stephen were painted on the 18th century. The church is a place of pilgrimage every mid-August when religious rites are performed on the day of St. Mary.• Between Tirana and Vlora there is the district of Fier, which boasts different historical sites with great interest. The most important are: Historic Museum in Fier;Archaeological site of Bylis, in Hekal village

BERATBERAT , is known as “the city of one-thousand windows”and is declared as a museum city. ... more It is on theslopes of the Tomorri mount where the castle of the cityrises in a predominant hill. Inside its walls there aredwelling houses and the “Onufri Museum”.Paintings and icons bythe outstandingAlbanian painter arealso exhibited there.The old part of the cityhas some religiousbuildings like churchesand mosques.

What to visit in BERAT?• The Museum of Iconography “Onufri”• The Museum of Ethnography• The Castle of Berat is a fortress overlooking the town. There are fourteen churches inside the castle, which have made this castle very famous. ... more One of them is the Church of St. Triadha, dating back to the end of the thirteenth century and beginning of the fourteenth century. Very interesting frescoes are found inside it. Behind the Church of St. Todri, there are the churches of St. Kolli, St. Constantine, St. Helen, St. Mary Vllaherna, and others.• Ruins of the White Mosque. Its internal walls are found inside the castle of Berat. They are built on the foundations of Illyrian walls, followed by reconstructions in Byzantine and Ottoman style.• The Church of Saint Mehilli, (Michael) is well known for combining European and Byzantine construction techniques;• The Church of Saint Triadha (Trinity). Speculations are that the chapel might have been built on the foundations of the ruins of a pagan temple. The temple was built to honor the goddess Artemis, from which the present name Ardenicë derives.

DURRESDURRES The principal port of Durres is the second largest city of Albania. ...more The city was colonized by the colonists from Corinth and Korkyra in627 B.C. It was named Epidamnus, which later became Dyrrachium. Themost important object is the amphitheatre, the largest in Balkan with15,000 seats, dating back to the 2nd century AD and containing an EarlyChristian crypt with a rare wall mosaics . Between the 1st and 3rd centuriesDurres was an important port and trading centre on the Via Egnatia tradingroute, between Rome and Byzantuim (Istanbul).After a great number ofearthquakes, much of ancientDurres sank into the sea orcollapsed and wassubsequently built over. Todaythe city is well known for thenearby beach resort of Durresand its sandy beaches andwarm sea waters.

What to visit in DURRES?• The Archaeological Museum• The Amphitheater , partially excavated starting since 1960, has a seating capacity between 15.000-20.000 people and is situated on the middle of the modern city.• Byzantine Forum• Venetian Torra, (small castle open as a bar)• Ancient city wall• The Exhibition of Folk Culture• The mosaic of Arapaj, Arapaj village (it can be opened only with special permit)

KRUJAKRUJA is a medieval town near Tirana. The name of Krujais closely connected with the name of the National Hero...more , George Kastriot Scanderbeg, who fought againstthe Ottomans for 25 years in succession, defendingEuropean civilization from their threat in the 15th century.At a prominent andstrategic place near the city,there is a castle, within ishoused the ScanderbegMuseum (NationalMuseum). On the way tothe castle there is amedieval bazaar.

What to visit in KRUJA?• Museum of Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg• Ethnographic Museum• Archaeological site of Albanopoli, in village of Zgerdhesh• Traditional Bazaar

KORCAKORCA Is the largest city of south eastern part of Albania. It issituated at the foot of Morava Mountain... more on a plateau800 m above sea level. It became an important trading andhandicraft centre in the 18th century due to the developmentof trade with neighbouring regions. The museum for MedievalArt is in Korça.It presents the spiritual andmaterial culture of theAlbanian people. There arealso the Museum ofEducation, where the firstAlbanian School wereopened in 1878 and the newmuseum of “BratkoCollections” with antiquariesfrom the Far East.

What to visit in KORCA?• The Museum of Medieval Arts• The Gallery “Guri Madhi”• The “Bratko” Museum of antiquaries and collections from Far East• National Museum of Education• The Archaeological Museum• Watering Greensward (a suite place for emigrants, where young ladies use to shed tears).

POGRADECPOGRADEC is one of the most charming tourist resorts inAlbania because of its position on Lake Ohrid ... morewhich distinguishes itself for clear water and mountainviews. The Koran fish, similar to trout, is found in thislake.Besides the beautiful beach,your stay in Pogradec is mademore interesting by theexcursion to the tourist centrein Driloni (5 km eastward)surrounded by ornamentalplants and trees.

What to visit in POGRADEC?• The mosaics of Lin, in the village of Lin at north of Pogradec• The monumental graves of Selca e Poshtme , in village of Selca• The Goliku Bridge on the old Via Egnatia.

GJIROKASTRAGJIROKASTRA Is one of the most important cities of southernAlbania has been declared a “Museum City”. ... more It is built on theslope of a mountain and is known for its characteristic and narrowstone paved streets. The dwelling houses have the form of medievaltowers consisting a building ensemble with characteristicarchitecture.The castle of the city stands like abalcony over the city. It enablesthe visitors to enjoy a verybeautiful landscape. TheNational Museum of Weapons ishoused in the interior of thecastle. Weapons are producedand used by the Albanian sincethe ancient times are displayedthere.

What to visit in GJIROKASTRA?• The Museum of Weapons is situated inside the Castle of Gjirokastra. It shows the development of weapons in Albania, from antiquity to the present.)• The Ethnographic Museum., it is otherwise known as the birth-house of the former dictator Enver Hoxha. It is currently visited by many tourists interested in Albanian tradition, culture, and ethnography.• The Castle of Gjirokastra is a grand fortress with a fantastic location, dominating the whole valley of the Drino. Its construction continued for several centuries and... more only in the twelfth century did take the shape of a castle. When exiting the castle, visitors walk along a road on both sides of which are 200 stone houses.• The Mosque of Pajazut Khan is within the castle as well. To the north there is the old market, called the Castle Market.• The Church of Labova e Kryqit, in the village with same name.• The archaeological site of Antigonea, in the village of Saraqinisht;• The ruins of archaeological site of Adrianapol, in the village of Sofratike.

SARANDASARANDA is most southern city of Albania. Situatedopposite of Corfu Island... more , Saranda is now mostlyvisited by day trippers who come to enjoy this previouslyinaccessible resort. It is one of the most tourist sites inAlbania and is very preferable by “honeymooners”.Near Saranda there arethe ruins of the ancientcity of Butrint and thespring of “Blue Eye”.

What to visit in SARANDA?• Ethnographic Museum• The Archaeological Museum of Butrint• The ruins of ancient town of Onhezmi in Saranda• The monastery of Mesopotam is located to the South of Finiq. In earlier times, this was a pagan temple. It is one of the largest and oldest churches of its period. Its icons depict mostly quadruped and mammal motifs.... more In its main hall, a mosaic depicts a dragon with spread-out wings. Visitors can see the ruins of the old surrounding walls of the monastery with seven quadrangular towers. These walls predate the church.• The Quadrangular Castle of Butrint. this small castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena built on 1807-1808 is located on a cape jetting out into the sea. It was built to prevent the French from taking Butrint from their base in Corfu.

SHKODRASHKODRA It is one of the most major cities in the north – westernpart of the country. ... more It is situated near the lake sharing thesame name and along the road that leads to Montenegro. It is anancient city with rich history. One can find old characteristic houseswhere wood and other traditional motifs are used.Near the city there is thecastle of Rozafa built on arocky hill from where you cansee attractive and beautifulviews. During your stay youcan visit the HistoricalMuseum of the city. Shkodra isa good point to start your tripto Albanian Alps.

What to visit in SHKODRA?• Historic Museum has a number of sections on archaeology, history and ethnography. It also has its own library with a considerable number of Albanian and foreign books-about 15,000 titles altogether. The library is a great source for students of Albanology;• The Castle of Rozafa rises on a rocky hill to the west of Shkodra. According to the legend, Rozafa, the wife of the youngest of three brothers, accepted to be buried alive in the walls of the castle. ... more The brothers had been building the castle in the day only to find that the walls had collapsed during the night. At the entrance to the castle one can see the Rozafa bas-relief. According to popular imagination, the lime water that leaks at the main entrance is the milk running from Rozafa's breast which was left outside the wall so that she could feed her newborn baby.• Museum of Rozafa Castle explains the various periods in the life of the castle;• The Lead Mosque is a famous cultural monument in the city of Shkodra that was built in 1773 in the style of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.• The Church of Shirgji is located 20 km from the city of Shkodra, close to the village of Obot. It is built in Romanic-Gothic style. The Shirgji church used to be a favorite of Albanian and Montenegrin princes and was especially used for wedding.• The Mesi Bridge is located about 8 km from Shkodra, on the Kir River. There used to be three bridges on this river but only this one has survived to this day. The Mesi Bridge is a unique bridge and considered a 'cultural monument'.• The Illyrian ruins of Gajtan• The ruins of medieval city of Sarda are found in an island of the artificial lake of Vau i Dejës, built in 1971. Among the remains are the defense walls, church ruins and the gate to the Dukagjini palace. Sarda is a very picturesque location.• On the way from Tirana to Shkodra in the town of Lezha is interesting to visit the memorial dedicated to burial place of Albanian National Hero, Scanderbeg.