PECOB Portal on Central Eastern
and Balkan Europe
by IECOB & AIS Università di Bologna

Thursday December 26, 2024

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

Cars and trucks queue in a five lanes road.

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

A few residential buildings; bricks are very well visible

This picture depicts well the precarious conditions of some buildings in Tirana.

See the picture "Large buildings in the periphery"

03. Ender Hoxha Mausoleum

On the right, a piramidal structure, on the left, a modern building with a large Raiffeisen Bank sign on it

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

Picture taken from a bus showing a long boulevard without cars with trees at its side.

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

Albanian flag is waving next to a statue of a warlord riding a horse, and in front of a minaret

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

See the picture "Monument to Skanderbeg"

07. Trying to have a dialogue

A smiling nun in a long and ligth gown is discussing with a man wearing a muslim cap and holding a book in his hands

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 front of a large calssical building

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

A row of many-coloured new residential buildings.

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

A large mosaic over the entrance of a building with people dressed with clothes typical of different times. In the centre, a woman waves her rifle and a man waves a red flag

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 - 1, S. Giovanni Bosco - Faenza - Italy

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