Albania's capital is not a very charming city, so to speak. In fact, I read that the city is cited as one of the worst cities in Europe. Still, it was interesting to spend a few days there, try some good local dishes, learn about its history, and observe its socialist architecture. Is it worth visiting? If you're a curious traveler, yes, but I'm sure Albania has better options to offer, as it's known for its beautiful nature and landscapes. That was actually my initial plan, but I had to change it due to problems with my schedule.
I was there in September 2019, and in a weird way, it reminded me of São Paulo: it's a gray city without much urban planning, a mix of architectural styles, very noisy due to traffic, air loaded with pollution, and it was very hot.
However, I like the idea of being in places that I never imagined I would be. Tirana is definitely one of those cases.
SKANDERBEG SQUARE
The MAIN SQUARE where you will find the most important monuments and buildings of Tirana: THE CITY HALL, THE PALACE OF CULTURE, THE NATIONAL OPERA, THE NATIONAL CULTURAL MUSEUM are among them. Above the National Cultural Museum's entrance, there is a mosaic mural called THE ALBANIANS depicting significant Albanian figures.
During communist times, a statue of Stalin was erected there.
PIRAMIDA
This concrete pyramid was built in 1987 as a gift from the daughter of the dictator ENVER HOXHA, who ruled Albania from 1944 to 1985, to her father. The intention was to open it as a museum dedicated to the dictator’s life. With the fall of Communism soon after, the place was abandoned, and it remains like this until today.
Certainly, an unintentional awful monument that fits the horrors of that government.
There is a discussion about destroying the pyramid, but some believe it is good to maintain it to remember the hideousness of that period.
There is a discussion about destroying the pyramid, but some believe it is good to maintain it to remember the hideousness of that period.
BLLOKU
Blloku is the nicest district of Tirana. It is a greenish area with many restaurants, cafés, bars and stores. Visit RRUGA MURAT TOPTANI for a stroll, where you will find Ottoman Albanian fortifications.
During the Communist Era, Blloku was a private residential neighborhood for Albania's elite. Ordinary people were not allowed to enter.
PAZARI I RI
This neighborhood is part of the OLD TOWN and it is also known for its GROCERIES STREET MARKET. A good area to take a stroll, find some good restaurants or bakeries, and try local food. I found there a delicious Albanian restaurant called ODA, managed by a local family. It is a lovely place to taste typical ALBANIAN CUISINE.
THE CLOUD
The Cloud is an art installation in front of the NATIONAL GALLERY OF ARTS, created by the Japanese award-winning ARCHITECT SOU FULJIMOTO. It was nice bumping into that, since I hadn't read anything about it.
The installation was originally designed for SERPENTINE GALLERY PAVILION IN 2013.
#NEXT TIME - Things on my list I didn't have time to do:
PREZA CASTLE // BUNK'ART // GRAND PARK // DAJTI MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
