Cities of Albania

Tirana
Tirana has been the capital of Albania since 1920. It is relatively new city established in 1614from
Sulejman Bargjini, feudal of the area at the time. The city began to grow at the beginning of the 18th
century. Tirana , it is thought that comes from the word Theranda, mentioned in the ancient
Greek and Latin sources, that aborigines called Te Ranat, because the field was formed as a result
of stiff materials that the waters from the surrounding mountains brought. Today Tirana is not only the
most populated city in Albania, but also the biggest political and economic centre in the country. The
Adriatic Sea and Dajti mountains are near to the city. It takes you less than one hour drive to reach
the sea. A Great Park with an artificial lake is located immediately at the southern part 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.

Goverment 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: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.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 - Tirane
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.
Source: http://www.tirana.gov.al/?cid=2,22

Museums:
o

National Historic Museum

Archaeological Museum

Gallery of Fine Arts

VLORA
Vlora is a coastal city. It is not only one of the major ports, but also of great historical importance as it
was here that in 1912 the Assembly was convened to proclaim Albania as an independent state and
to set up the first National Government headed by Ismail Qemali. Thus Vlore became the first capital
city in independent Albania.
One can learn more about the background of this event at the Museum of Independence. On a hill
above the city one can enjoy the religious place of Kuzum Baba. From there you can see the beach
and the view of the whole city.

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 Monastery
is 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 Mosque
is 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,
such as part of anOrchestra, 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 (Dhrmi).

The village of Dhrmi goes back to at least the first century B.C. The village used to have 31
churches.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:
o

Historic Museum in Fier

Archaeological site of Bylis, in Hekal village

BERAT

It known as the city of one-thousand windows and is declared as a museum city. It is on the slopes
of the Tomorri mount where the castle of the city rises in a predominant hill. Inside its walls there are
dwelling houses and the Onufri Museum. Paintings and icons by the outstanding Albanian painter
are also exhibited there. The old part of the city has some religious buildings like churches and
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. 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 Ardenic derives.

DURRES
The principal port of Durres is the second largest city of Albania. The city was colonized by the
colonists from Corinth and Korkyra in 627 B.C. It was named Epidamnus, which later became
Dyrrachium. The most important object is the amphitheatre, the largest in Balkan with 15,000 seats,
dating back to the 2nd century AD and containing an Early Christian crypt with a rare wall mosaics .
Between the 1st and 3rd centuries Durres was an important port and trading centre on the Via
Egnatia trading route, between Rome and Byzantuim (Istanbul). After a great number of

earthquakes, much of ancient Durres sank into the sea or collapsed and was subsequently built over.
Today the city is well known for the nearby beach resort of Durres and its sandy beaches and warm
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)

KRUJA
Kruja is a medieval town near Tirana. The name of Kruja is closely connected with the name of the
National Hero, George Kastriot Scanderbeg, who fought against the Ottomans for 25 years in
succession, defending European civilization from their threat in the 15th century. At a prominent and
strategic place near the city, there is a castle, within is housed the Scanderbeg Museum (National
Museum). On the way to the castle there is a medieval bazaar.

Kruja attractions

Museum of Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg

Ethnographic Museum

Archaeological site of Albanopoli, in village of Zgerdhesh

Traditional Bazaar

KORCA
Is the largest city of south eastern part of Albania. It is situated at the foot of Morava Mountainon a
plateau 800 m above sea level. It became an important trading and handicraft centre in the 18th
century due to the development of trade with neighbouring regions. The museum for Medieval Art is
in Kora. It presents the spiritual and material culture of the Albanian people. There are also the
Museum of Education, where the first Albanian School were opened in 1878 and the new museum of
Bratko Collections with antiquaries from 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).

POGRADEC
Pogradec is one of the most charming tourist resorts in Albania because of its position on Lake
Ohrid which distinguishes itself for clear water and mountain views. The Koran fish, similar to trout, is
found in this lake. Besides the beautiful beach, your stay in Pogradec is made more interesting by
the excursion to the tourist centre in Driloni (5 km eastward) surrounded by ornamental plants 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.

GJIROKASTRA
One of the most important cities of southern Albania has been declared a Museum City. It is built
on the slope of a mountain and is known for its characteristic and narrow stone paved streets. The
dwelling houses have the form of medieval towers consisting a building ensemble with characteristic
architecture. The castle of the city stands like a balcony over the city. It enables the visitors to enjoy a
very beautiful landscape. The National Museum of Weapons is housed in the interior of the castle.
Weapons are produced and used by the Albanian since the ancient times are displayed there.

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 andonly 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.

SARANDA
Saranda is most southern city of Albania. Situated opposite of Corfu Island, Saranda is now mostly
visited by day trippers who come to enjoy this previously inaccessible resort. It is one of the most
tourist sites in Albania and is very preferable by honeymooners. Near Saranda there are the ruins
of the ancient city of Butrint and the spring 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.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.