Tirana, the heart and capital of Albania, like all other
European metropolises has never-ending movement and energy. With its clubs,
bars, cafes, and taverns, Tirana is worth discovering by both day and night.
The hospitality shown towards tourists is something that will mark your journey
not only in Tirana but also all over the country.
Tirana Attractions
Your own journey might begin by visiting the museums and the
key spots such as Sheshi Skënderbej, where you will be able to see the Mosque
of Et’hem Bey (built between 1798 and 1812) and the 35 m high Kulla e Sahatit
(the Watch Tower), built in 1822 with a San Marco style cupola. Next, you can
visit the famous mosaic uncovered on the floor of an old Roman lodge. Its
center configures the walls of the castle of the Roman emperor Justinian (A.D.
520). The monumental Tomb of Kapllan Pasha and the Ura e Tabakëve (a bridge
constructed in the beginning of the 19th century, located on Bulevardi Zhan
D’Ark) are also worth visiting. As a capital, Tirana has the country’s finest
museums, theatres, and galleries representing the national arts.
A visit to the National History Museum, the Archeological
Museum, the Natural Science Museum, the private Mezuraj Museum, and the
National Gallery of the Arts will leave wonderful memories. You can also pass a
pleasant evening in the National Theatre or the Opera and Ballet Theatre. For
dining, Tirana offers both a rich traditional cuisine and a variety of foreign
fares, from Italian to Chinese, or even Indian. There are also several clubs
and restaurants on Mount Dajti to discover and enjoy. The mountain is reachable
by cable car, which provides a fantastic view of the city. In the Tirana region
you may also visit the castles of Petrela and Preza, as well as some natural
attractions, such as Pëllumbas Cave, Shkalla e Tujanit, and more.
History of Tirana
Tirana is relatively new. Sulejman Pashë Bargjini, a local
feudal lord constructed the first building in 1614. He built a mosque, a hamam, and a stove,
which at the time were the main institutions of a newborn city, today in the
place where the monument to The Unknown Soldier stands. In 1816, the Toptani
family came to rule the city. The most important date in Tirana’s history is
February 11th, 1920, when the Lushnja Congress declared Tirana the provisional
capital of Albania; definitive status would be given in 1925. Following this
act, the city has experienced constant growth, which continues today and has
gained particular momentum since 1990.
Famous Italian architects made the center of Tirana their
project during the early parts of the 20th century. The main boulevard in
Tirana, Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit, was built in 1930, while the central
square, Skanderbeg Square, was built between 1928 and 1929. In 1968, on the
500th anniversary of his death, national hero Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg had a
monument inaugurated in Skanderbeg Square.
Twenty years afterward, in the square was added the monument of the
dictator Enver Hoxha. Shortly after on the 20 February 1991 the students and
the people removed the monument from the square. In Tirana, you can visit a
network of museums and galleries such as the National History Museum, the
Archeology Museum, the National Art Gallery, and many more, including numerous
private galleries.
Nightlife in Tirana
Tirana is unquestionably the dynamic center of
Albania thanks in part to its lively nightlife, comprised of theaters,
restaurants and clubs. There are a variety of places to entertain you and most
of them stay open all night. Bars and clubs can be found throughout town,
particularly in the “Blok” area, playing all kinds of live music, including
jazz, house, funk, Latin, etc. You can choose to go to the Murphy’s Irish pub
or to an American-style bar playing hard rock music. Tirana is home to the
Opera House, the National Theater and many other galleries and museums, which
in recent years have hosted many artists and world-famous performers. Tirana
also offers a wide range of cocktail bars, where you can enjoy some of the best
cocktails while listening to music from the best DJs. Downtown, the Regency
Casino invites people out to test their gambling luck.