Albania is one of the most mysterious countries of the Balkan Peninsula. Olive groves, mild Mediterranean climate, monuments of ancient and Ottoman architecture attract tourists from all over the world.
Some of the country's attractions are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List:
- archaeological museum-reserve of Butrint;
- the ancient centers of the cities of Berat and Gjirokastra;
- virgin beech forests.
The list of attractions in Albania does not end there. The choice of tourist attractions here is so great that it is sometimes difficult for a traveler to plan a route. So where should a tourist who first come to this country go, what to see in Albania?
Top 15 attractions in Albania
Butrint
Butrint
Museum-reserve in the southern part of the country. Archaeological landmark. Protected by UNESCO. In the VI century BC. NS. a settlement founded by the ancient Greeks was located here. Then it became part of the Roman Empire, and in the VI century AD. NS. was destroyed by one of the ancient Germanic tribes. Then the restored city was part of the Byzantine Empire for some time, later it was a part of the Venetian Republic … In the 15th century it was captured by the Ottoman Empire and destroyed.
The first archaeological excavations were carried out here in the 20s-30s of the XX century, they continued after the Second World War. Found ancient walls with gates, a theater with marble sculptures, the remains of residential buildings and public buildings, the sanctuary of the god Asclepius.
Durres amphitheater
Durres amphitheater
One of the largest monuments of ancient architecture located on the Balkan Peninsula. Built at the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries. The battles of gladiators took place here; it is known that animals also participated in these battles (the arches where they were kept were preserved). From about the middle or the last decades of the 4th century, battles were no longer held here, the amphitheater was used for Christian ceremonies.
The attraction was discovered by archaeologists in the 20th century. Today the amphitheater can be viewed by purchasing a ticket at the ticket office at the entrance.
Berat
Berat
One of the southern cities of the country. Its historical center is under the protection of UNESCO: many buildings from the times of the Ottoman Empire have been preserved here. Among them are the Lead and Royal Mosques, built in the 16th century.
The results of archaeological excavations and historical documents indicate that the urban settlement was located on the territory of the present city as early as the 4th century BC. NS.
Gjirokastra
Gjirokastra
A city-museum located in the south of the country. Thanks to the buildings that have survived from the time of the Ottoman Empire, it is included in the list of objects protected by UNESCO.
This city is especially famous for its tower-type buildings, erected in the period from the 17th to the 19th century. Many such buildings have survived in the Balkan region, but in this city their number is especially large.
Every five years, the National Folklore Festival is held here - one of the most important events in the musical life of the country.
Apollonia Illyrian
Apollonia Illyrian
An ancient city, the ruins of which were discovered by archaeologists relatively recently. It was once a wealthy Greek colony. The oligarchy flourished here. According to the results of archaeological excavations and a number of historical documents, Apollonia was founded in the 4th century BC. NS. The reason for the decline of the city was the gradual swamping of its territory. People had to leave this place and move to one of the nearby cities.
Archaeologists have found here the ruins of a temple and the remains of a theater, mosaic floors (apparently located in the houses of the local nobility) and cobbled streets.
Rozafa fortress
Rozafa fortress
It was built in the 3rd century BC. NS. An ancient legend is associated with the history of its construction. According to the legend, the fortress was built by three brothers (whose names have not been preserved in history). Their undertaking ended in failure - the walls collapsed. The brothers began construction again, and again the walls could not resist … The third attempt was also unsuccessful. Then the brothers decided to strengthen the walls with the help of human sacrifice. It was decided to immure Rozafa, the wife of the younger brother, into the foundation of the fortress. For a long time her husband did not dare to tell her about the decision … When she heard about the fate prepared for her, she accepted it courageously. The woman only asked that she not be completely walled up, giving the opportunity to feed her small child. The request was fulfilled.
Today, one of the surviving buildings of the fortress houses a museum, which houses exhibits related to the history of this landmark. Nothing here reminds of a beauty walled up in a wall (which hardly existed in reality), but you can see artifacts from the times of the Ottoman Empire.
Petrela Castle
Petrela Castle
One of the most famous monuments of Albanian history. It was built in the 5th century and has been well preserved to this day. During the Skanderbeg uprising against the Turkish invaders (in the middle of the 15th century), the hero's sister was here, she commanded the castle and gave signals to the rebels with the help of fire.
Today, on the territory of the castle, located not far from the capital of the country, peace and tranquility reign, tourists from all over the world walk and take pictures here.
Mes Bridge
Mes Bridge
It was built in the middle of the 18th century on the Kir river. At that time, the country was part of the Ottoman Empire. The bridge is one example of Ottoman architecture, which is why it attracts unflagging tourist interest. But even those who know nothing about the history of this bridge willingly come here: both the bridge itself and the surrounding nature are very picturesque.
The bridge is over 100 meters long and about 3 meters wide. The design of this architectural monument includes 13 arches of various heights; their arrangement is characterized by slight asymmetry.
In the past centuries, the bridge was badly damaged by earthquakes and river floods, but relatively recently it was restored.
Tobacco bridge
Tobacco bridge
One of the historical landmarks of the capital of Albania. The Lana River once flowed under this bridge. It was built in the 18th century. Agricultural products from mountainous areas were transported along it. Not far from the bridge was the part of the city where tanners lived and worked. The places of their work in Turkish are called "tabakhane", which gave the name to the nearby bridge.
In the 30s of the XX century, the channel of Lana was artificially changed (in the process of redevelopment of the city). The bridge was forgotten for several decades. At the end of the XX century, it was restored, now the bridge is one of the tourist destinations in Tirana.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Shkodra
Located in the city of Shkodra. Built in the middle of the 19th century. At that time, the country was subordinated to the Ottoman Empire, permission for the construction of a Christian temple was obtained from the Sultan. In the middle of the 20th century (during the reign of the communist regime in the country), the cathedral became the Palace of Sports. The original status was returned to the temple in the 90s of the XX century.
Theater Migeni
One of the landmarks of Shkoder. The building was built in the middle of the 20th century. The theater bears the name of one of the writers who stood at the origins of modern Albanian literature. If you are interested in theater, architecture or literature in 20th century Albania, you should definitely see this building.
Tirana Great Park
One of the main attractions of the country's capital Tirana. The park was created in the 50s of the XX century. On its territory you can admire a picturesque artificial lake, see the famous Presidential Palace (also known as the Palace of the Brigades), see several memorials dedicated to public figures of the country. A zoo and a botanical garden are located in the southern zone of the park.
Give
Give
This name is given to a mountain in the central part of the country, as is the name of the national park in which this mountain is located. There is an observation deck on the mountain slope, from where a delightful view of Tirana opens.
If your hobby is mountain tourism or ecotourism, you will surely enjoy it here. At the top of the mountain, you can see coniferous trees, whose age is equal to two centuries. In total, more than 40 species of trees grow in the park. The fauna is just as diverse here. Here are some of the species of mammals and birds that can be seen in the park:
- wild cat;
- Brown bear;
- Wolf;
- black woodpecker;
- mountain eagle;
- hawk.
You can admire the colorful meadows and mountain lakes, touch the ancient fortress walls (there are also historical monuments in the reserve) … Impressions from the beauty of Daiti will be unforgettable! And if, walking in the national park, you get tired and hungry, you can refresh your strength in one of the restaurants located here.
Virgin beech forests
They are located in the north-east of the country and in its central part. It is a complex ecosystem that has survived since ancient times: it gives scientists an idea of the processes that took place in terrestrial ecosystems after the end of the Last Ice Age. This landmark, which keeps the beauty and secrets of the ancient world, is now under the protection of UNESCO.
Karaburun-Sazan
Karaburun-Sazan
National Marine Park (the only one in the country). Its characteristic features include underwater meadows where Posidonia grows. This plant can only survive in clean seawater.
Those who are fond of diving should definitely visit here. They will be able to admire not only the variety of colors and forms of the picturesque underwater world, but also see the sunken Roman and Greek ships. Next to them are sad milestones in the history of the 20th century, sunken ships of the Second World War.
