and Balkan Europe
by IECOB & AIS Università di Bologna
You are on the Portal on Central
Eastern and Balkan Europe (PECOB),
a project promoted by IECOB and AIS.
Tirana
Tirana presents the typical features of big cities in developing countries. It is possible to find signs of wealth as well as signs of the deepest poverty. Heading toward the town center of the city the two worlds that make up this society become more and more apparent. Modern buildings in the town centre and the large boulevards are surrounded by a vast and lively periphery. New residential areas are a proof of the presence of a part of the poulation becoming richer.
All pictures have been taken by Saverio Francesco Massari in July 2007
01. Traffic jam in the periphery of Tirana
Tirana is well known for its chaotic traffic conditions; this phenomenon is partiularly evident in the periphery of the city where all roads from the provinces meet, causing frequent traffic jams.
See the picture "Traffic jam in the periphery of Tirana"
02. Large buildings in the periphery
This picture depicts well the precarious conditions of some buildings in Tirana.
See the picture "Large buildings in the periphery"
03. Ender Hoxha Mausoleum
In the Tirana town-centre there is a number of important multi-national financial companies just a few steps from the mausoleum that Enver Hoxha had built in his honor.
See the picture "Ender Hoxha Mausoleum"
04. The long boulevards of Tirana
In the central area of the city there are long boulevards with trees on each side that head to the central square.
See the picture "The long boulevards of Tirana"
06. Monument to Skanderbeg
This is a monument dedicated to the famous Albanian warlord Skanderbeg. He is considered to this day symbol of national pride and unity. Besides the monument, there is the most ancient mosque of Albania.
See the picture "Monument to Skanderbeg"
06. Monument to Skanderbeg
This is a monument dedicated to the famous Albanian warlord Skanderbeg. He is considered to this day symbol of national pride and unity. Besides the monument, there is the most ancient mosque of Albania.
See the picture "Monument to Skanderbeg"
07. Trying to have a dialogue
Inside a Mosque, a catholic nun and an imam discuss about the interpretation of the Koran. In spite of the fact that there are different religions in Albania, there seems to be peace among them.
See the picture "Trying to have a dialogue"
08. Europe and Albania
Albanian and European Union's flag wave next to each other in the square around which all ministries and governamental buildings are located. While not being part of the European Union, Albania considers itself a European nation.
See the picture "Europe and Albania"
09. New residential areas
The fact that a new social class is growing is supported also by the constructions of these new residential areas carefully protected by fences and gates.
See the picture "New residential areas"
10. The National Museum
The facade of the National Museum is decorated with a large mosaic triumphally illustrating the history of Albania since Illiric times to its more recent Socialist past.
See the picture "The National Museum"
PECOB: Portal on Central Eastern and Balkan Europe - University of Bologna - 117, c.so della Repubblica - Italy
