Some destination defines the difference between tourist and traveller: Albania is one of them. Tirana gives you the possibility to get deeply in touch with the history of a country that suffered a lot in the past.
This trip started as a random plan, like a 2 days stop during the journey from my native town to my working place. Cheap flights, a great hotel offer, perfect coincidence of no-working days: it’s enough to go!
Skandelberg square welcomes me as a foreigner in Albania. The national heroe, gives the name to the huge square, and his statue opens the view to many coloured buildings.
On saturday night, the city is so loud! In Blloku area there are cocktail bars, discos, pubs, it’s very crowdy. Live music and people dancing everywhere! You will rarely see so intense nightlife in any European capital.
Sunday morning, i need to start to see the capital with the sad history of Albanian dictatorship. The house of leaves is a former pediatric hospital, trasformed into a secret services base. Now the museum remembers innocent people who were spied, arrested and killed during the communist regime. The name “house of leaves” remembers the papers or the sound in the woods, when someone spies you.
Another piece of history is inside Bunk’ Art 2 and Bunk’ Art 1 (i visited only number 2). They were born since Hoxha dictator’s obsession for bunkers and nuclear attack: now they are art galleries, to remember the cruelties during that sad period.
While fighting monsters, do not forget what you strive for… whatch out the monsters inside you!”
The clock tower is one of the symbols of the city. Just behind Skandelberg square, gives you the possibility to see the city landscape on the top of the tower
Pazari I Ri is the city market, with typical products, and many restaurant nearby, that cook local food. I tried some traditional albanian dish. I will not write any comment: i will let the picture talk 🙂
Et’hem Bey is one of the most important islamic mosque of the country
The Resurrection Cathedral is an Albanian Orthodox church situated in the center of Tirana
My trip was very short, but meaningful. I will leave Albania the next day, so i have to spend the last LEK (albanian money). And that’s the best way i know to spend money
Thank you Albania, and Albanian people to welcome me