Tirana is the capital of Albania. Sightseeing, climate, reviews

Friendly Tirana, the capital of sunny Albania, is located on the plateau at the mouth of the confluence of two rivers, 40 kilometers from the port city of Durres. The area is known for wars, which for a long time occurred here, but so far few people know about the city as a tourist destination. You can get to Tirana by plane, train, bus or car. Directly the city is not so big, it is easy to study on foot or by bike.

Geographical position

Albania on the world map, washed by the Adriatic and Ionian seas, seems a small spot on the outskirts of the Balkan Peninsula. The summer is usually arid and hot, but the cooling wind blows from the coast, therefore, as tourists write in the reviews, the weather here is conducive to rest. Usually the season lasts from late spring to mid-autumn. The sun shines almost 300 days a year. Winter here is damp and cool. The average daily temperature drops to +4 ° C. Due to its position, the climate of Tirana is mild and contributes to the influx of travelers.

The best time to visit the Albanian capital is autumn or spring, when the temperature has not yet reached summer temperatures of 30-40 ° C. At this time, the Albanian capital can be seen in bright colors of greenery, the flowering of parks and gardens or the golden crimson of falling leaves. March and November are rainy, so the weather can spoil the plans of travelers.

History Lessons

Where is Albania on the map, we have already found out. The territory of the present country was inhabited in time immemorial, and then it became part of the Roman Empire.

At the end of the 5th century, the Slavic tribes founded the Albanian kingdom here - Arberia. At the beginning of the 6th century, the Byzantine emperor Justinian I built a fortress in Tirana, parts of its walls can still be seen in the center of the city.

Later, the Ottoman Empire conquered the country. But in 1442, an uprising broke out under the leadership of Skanderbeg, a man who is now revered as a national hero. After his death in 1479, the Ottoman Empire regained its influence over Arberia.

Only at the beginning of the 17th century Tirana became a real city. In 1614, in honor of the victory over the Persians at Tehran, the Turkish nobleman Suleiman Pasha gave the new degree the same name. At the same time, Turkish baths, mosques and bakeries began to be built here.

Until the twentieth century Tirana was a small town that did not affect the life of the country. And the fact that since 1920 Tirana - the capital of Albania has become a completely compromise solution. It was chosen only because of its geographical location - it lies at the junction of the northern and southern parts of the country.

In the 20th century, the city survived the overthrow of King Zogu (1928-1939), the occupation regime of Nazi Italy and Germany (1938-1944), the communist epic of dictator Khoja (1946-1985), and finally, in 1992, revived in spirit and found hope for better life.

Architectural sights of Tirana

Along the entire Albanian capital are found buildings, painted in different colors. But even this was not the highlight of the city. Tirana's attractions are closely connected with the glorious past of the state. So, above the central square the statue to the national hero of the country - Sheshi Skanderbegu rises. And very near is one of the oldest buildings in the city (1820) and the symbol of Tirana - the Clock Tower .

The International Cultural Center (formerly the Enver Hoxha Museum, known as the Pyramid) was built in 1987 by the order of Enver Hoxha's daughter. Initially, the task of the museum was to perpetuate the memory of the "father of the Albanian people". And this mission was to take, above all, the city of Tirana. Albania calls this project the most expensive construction of the era of communism.

Today this abandoned building is half occupied by a television station. In the other wing art exhibitions and other cultural events are held periodically. In recent years, the Pyramid has become the object of controversy over the future of this building. Many believe that it must be destroyed, as traces of a gloomy past, and some believe that the building should be reconstructed and preserved as a historical monument.

Religious Temples

The mosque of Ephem Bey built a long 28 years and was completed only in 1821. This Muslim temple is considered one of the most beautiful in Albania. Both the interior and the exterior are very interesting decorations and art paintings.

The Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is a relatively new building in the city. Reviews of tourists report that the temple is a fascinating architecture and rich in internal iconography. No less interesting is the church of St. Peter . It was also built recently. The temple is remarkable for its amazing stained-glass windows and frescoes.

Museums of Tirana

On the central square of the Albanian capital is the main museum of the city and the country - the National Historic . It is easy to recognize by the huge mosaic standing on the top of its facade. The exposition contains many artifacts from ancient times to the regime of Khoja, including the terrible system of labor camps in Albania.

The National Art Gallery offers visitors an acquaintance with the art of the XIII-XXI centuries. The exhibition must be viewed at least for the sake of the works of the socialist realism era. In the back of the museum are statues of Lenin and Stalin. Here a lot reminds of the close friendship of the Soviet and Albanian peoples and sometimes difficult to understand, while Tirana is the capital of which country?

The National Archaeological Museum of Albania shows the ancient artifacts of Illyrian and Roman tribes. Reviews of tourists report that a particularly strong impression on visitors produced here are beautiful mosaics, Roman statues and historical maps.

An open-air museum can be called a cemetery of martyrs. Sometimes this graveyard is called a necropolis of heroes. Here are buried the remains of 900 partisans who fought for the liberation of Tirana. In 1985, the Albanian dictator Khoja found his last rest, but in 1992 his body was exhumed and transported to the Sharra cemetery at the other end of the city.

On the graveyard, you can also find a twelve-meter statue of the Mother of Albania (the monument was erected in 1972). It stands on a beautiful mountain slope near the road leading to the city of Elbasan. From here you have a magnificent view of the capital of Albania.

Where else to go in Tirana?

Tirana, the capital of Albania, gives many opportunities for its study. In the reviews, tourists write about visiting the zoo . Animals are allowed to see at arm's length. Next to the zoological park is the botanical garden , which contains the most interesting representatives of the fauna of the country.

In the evening, you can visit the Opera and Ballet Theater . One large concert hall allows you to enjoy the sounds of a symphony orchestra, professional singing and choreography.

Mount Dajti is another popular recreation area. You can get to it with the help of a Swiss built funicular. There are a few restaurants and hotels at the top, so you will not be able to spend the night. But this place is perfect for a walk in the fresh air. In winter, you can go skiing, and in summer you can ride a bicycle or simply leave the bustling city for a while.

The area of Ish-Bloku before the fall of communism was a closed territory, which was allowed only party bonzes and their approximate. Today it is the fashionable youth area of Tirana. Among the residential houses are the best cafes, shops and restaurants, bars, clubs, discos. Here you can find the villa of the former dictator Enver Hoxha.

You have to climb Skytower skyscraper . At the top there is a cafe on a rotating platform. Sipping good coffee, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Tirana. Reviews of tourists who visited here are full of enthusiastic stories about the surrounding mountains of colorful buildings, and at night - the lights of a large city.

Holidays and festivals

Every year Tirana becomes an arena for many interesting regional and global events. Sights of the capital and events attract the international community to participate in them. The holiday of the summer is celebrated on March 14 and the Independence Day on November 28. In the city calendar recently entered a number of prestigious festivals.

These include:

• The International Film Festival Tirana is held in late November - early December. It highlights the work of ethnic Albanian filmmakers.
• The international exhibition of contemporary art Biennale is celebrated in Tirana every two years. The best masters of contemporary art are attracted to participate.
• Days of art in Tirana take place in various city centers. Within 3 days, 25 events take place from exhibitions to cinema shows.
• The sports marathon includes running and cycling along the main streets of the capital.
• Ethnic festival-fair gives an opportunity to get acquainted with the fruits of farm labor.
• The jazz festival represents this musical direction.
• The festival of wine gives an opportunity to taste a drink made from grapes, prepared in different parts of Albania.

Gastronomic features

Tirana, the capital of Albania, has in its arsenal many good and inexpensive cafes, restaurants and pizzerias. Most of them are located in the Blochou district - the epicenter of the city's night life, as well as the presidium of the parliament and the presidential palace. Attendants often contact in English. Often there is a menu in the British language. Catering establishments represent the European (French, Italian, American) and Oriental (Chinese, Japanese, Thai) cuisine.

Traditional Albanian dishes include fried sausages and chicken, souvlaki, burek with cheese and spinach, doner, potato pies, fish and lobster, homemade bread, wine and firecrackers. Reviews of tourists note that often in restaurants there are themed evenings, performing vocal and instrumental groups.

Visitors can live to hear songs from folk to jazz and rock and even dance. In most establishments professional service is guaranteed, some of them offer a picturesque view of the city.

Souvenirs and purchases

Tirana, the capital of Albania, offers to its customers many small shops and several huge shopping centers located on the outskirts of the city. Free buses go to them. In the capital you can find almost everything: clothes, food, musical instruments, works of art. Furnishings and shoes are very expensive and, for the most part, imported from Italy. In the markets you can find products cheaper and simpler. Bazaars are exclusively in Turkish style - you need to bargain until the second coming. Sellers like this and appreciate it, and also willingly yield.

Souvenir production: magnets, trinkets, cups, plates, t-shirts, postcards, guidebooks - are sold in special kiosks. This is the city of Tirana. The reviews of tourists say that even in the capital, most currency exchange offices accept the monetary unit of not all countries. The euro, dollars, pounds sterling and other major currencies are accepted everywhere and without problems. Many shops accept euro for payment, but the prices thus can be slightly more expensive. There are many ATMs in the city that accept Cirrus / Maestro and VISA.

10 ideas for staying in Tirana

1. Enjoy Albanian hospitality.
2. To appreciate the brightly colored houses of the capital.
3. Sample excellent coffee and local beer, as well as delicious pastries and ice cream.
4. Learn the moralizing story of the national Albanian hero - Skanderbeg.
5. Visit the museums.
6. To see the Pyramid of Tirana is a monument of the era of Stalinism.
7. Relax in the Great Park on the shore of the lake with a fishing rod in hand.
8. Make a one day sally to the Adriatic Sea.
9. Go away from the city noise in the national mountain park Dajti.
10. Dance in one of the many nightclubs.

What do travelers write?

Those who have already been fortunate enough to visit the Albanian capital, respond enthusiastically about their vacations. So, reading reviews of tourists, you can come to the conclusion: Tirana fascinates with beautiful parks, open markets, historical buildings, and also gives a strange feeling of unique meetings between Europe and the Middle East. It is sometimes very difficult to understand where the city of Tirana is located. After all, this, in fact, a Muslim country is territorially located all the same in Europe.