Description of the attraction
The development of the Great Park began in the fall of 1958, but the project was developed by the Florentine architect Gerhardo Bozio back in 1936. Based on the layout of other green areas in Tirana, the architect came up with a park that stretches in the hills behind the houses (now the University of Tirana) with an area of about 22 hectares. This area was a valley slope with swampy areas, small ponds, dozens of young oak growth of different heights. The redevelopment and changes were made very carefully, based on the knowledge and creative imagination of the agronomists of the time.
In 1959, the planting of cypresses began on both sides of the main road, which is today called Thousand Cypress Street. Work began according to a detailed plan. Over the years, many monuments were built, the Belvedere in 1961, the sports complex in 1965, the Summer Theater (an important cultural center) in 1969, new roads were added by 1974, the fountain started working in 1978.
The construction of the artificial lake began in 1958 and was completed in 1960. The total area of the reservoir is 55 hectares, its circumference is 10 km, and the maximum width reaches one thousand two hundred meters. The complex of hydraulic structures includes control gates, inclined dams, an artificial embankment-island in the center, boat stations, several lawns and sandy beaches.
The area of Tirana park reached 232 hectares, thousands of seedlings of 166 tree species were planted, starting with poplars and acacias, which were planted first in 1946, and later - pine and cedar seedlings. Flower beds, hedges and compositions of various ornamental shrubs were also laid out.
Over the years, the Big Park has been enriched with areas of recreation and entertainment, science and tourism; the pavilions of the zoo and the Botanical Garden have been built nearby. Dozens of kilometers of roads and paths were built in the park, thousands of trees of many species were planted, grown in nurseries.
