Sunday 10 August 2014

Encounter with Albania

Berat - Berat - The City of a Thousand Windows
Albania! Well this was the most spontaneous holiday decision ever. Albania was not really on my to do list but through recommendation from my sister I though, why not. This is also exactly how it felt. It is not a holiday destination for everyone, but for openminded travelers it is. People are really friendly and the country has it's authentic culture and rough beauty. It is clear to see that the whole country is in development and that a lot has happened since it has fought its way to democracy.
What can you do in Albania? Well it is of course quite similar to other Balkan countries. There is a coast line with beaches, there are some old Unesco towns, there is an interesting and lively capital. Yes Tirana is lively and surprisingly colorful. Seven days is not much but enough for an short encounter and if you are around make a turn to Albania.

Below you can see my picture report and some impressions.



Bunkers in Albania
During the nearly forty-year leadership of Communist ruler Enver Hoxha of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, over 700,000 bunkers were built in the country – one for every four inhabitants. The bunkers (Albanian: bunkerët) are still a ubiquitous sight in Albania, with an average of 24 bunkers for every square kilometre of the country.



Hotel Vivas in Durres


Hotel Vivas in Durres


Durres

Durres

Durres city hall

Durres amphitheater


Durres

Durres Venetian Tower

Durres

Durres Beach

Durres Beach

Durres Beach

Durres Beach - Tetovo restaurant with great food (Macedonian cuisine)

Durres Beach - Tetovo restaurant with greatMacedonian cuisine and the most friendly family staff

Durres Beach - Tetovo restaurant with great food (Macedonian cuisine)

Durres Beach - Tetovo restaurant with great food (Macedonian cuisine)

Durres Beach

Durres Beach


Berat
In July 2008, the old town (Mangalem district) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Berat - Ethnographic Museum

Berat - the old town (Mangalem district)

Berat - the old town (Mangalem district)

Berat - the old town (Mangalem district)

Berat - Onufri Museum in the old town (Mangalem district)

Berat - Onufri Museum in the old town (Mangalem district)
Berat -  the old town (Mangalem district)

Berat -  the old town (Mangalem district)

Berat - The City of a Thousand Windows
The National Historical Museum (Albanian: Muzeu Historik Kombëtar) in Tirana




The National Historical Museum (Albanian: Muzeu Historik Kombëtar) in Tirana

Tirana main square

Tirana Main square

Tirana Main square, clash of styles and times




The pyramid: International Center of Culture (Albanian: Piramida) was a museum in Tirana, Albania, that opened on October 14, 1988. Formerly known as "Enver Hoxha Museum." This pyramid-shaped structure was designed by the daughter and son-in-law of the late communist leader Enver Hoxha. It served as a museum about his legacy, but after 1991 became a conference center and exhibition venue. Some sources have referred to it as the "Enver Hoxha Mausoleum" although this was not an official appellation.

Colourful buildings in Tirana
In 2000, former Tirana mayor Edi Rama led the initiative to paint the façades of Tirana's buildings in bright colours, although much of their interiors continue to degrade.

Patisserie Française - Tirana

Patisserie Française - Tirana

Patisserie Française - Tirana

Patisserie Française - Tirana

Tirana - trendy Blokku quarter
 Plenty of Bars, Cafes and Night Clubs all around the area of the so-called Blloku.

Colourful buildings in Tirana

Tirana - trendy Blokku quarter
 Plenty of Bars, Cafes and Night Clubs all around the area of the so-called Blloku.






Krujë - Skanderbeg statue

Krujë castle


sweets in local patisserie in Kruje

Kruje Bazaar

Kruje Bazaar

Kruje Bazaar

Kruje Bazaar

Kruje Skanderbeg Museum

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje
19th century Ottoman house that belonged to Toptani family

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje
19th century Ottoman house that belonged to Toptani family

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje
19th century Ottoman house that belonged to Toptani family

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje
19th century Ottoman house that belonged to Toptani family

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje
19th century Ottoman house that belonged to Toptani family

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje
19th century Ottoman house that belonged to Toptani family

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje

National Ethnographic Museum in Kruje



chaotic traffic and daily life in Albania

Shkodër castle

Shkodër

Shkodër

Shkodër

Shkodër

Shkodër


mountains around Shkodër lake



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