Albania：A Well-Kept Secret of Southern Europe

Albania is a country in southern Europe, bordering Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia. Albania is one of the smallest European states with great touristic potential. The capital of Albania is Tirana which lies in the middle of the country, but both north and south of Albania are worth visiting. The following article presents the most interesting sightseeing points for a traveler visiting Albania.

1. Butrint (Sarande)

Visitors to Albania should definitely stop by the ancient Greek and Roman city of Butrint, which lies close to Greek border in southern Albania. Butrint offers a unique sightseeing venture into the ancient history of the southern European region which played a role of an important commercial and cultural hub in its time period. The sightseeing in Butrint includes monuments such as Greek agora, beautifully preserved theater and the temple of goddess Minerva. Since Butrint existed beyond the Classic times, it is possible to see the Basilica as well as a Baptiserium where new Christians would be baptised. The best time to visit Butrint for sightseeing in definitely in the spring time when the surrounding area is in flower.

2. Bunk Art 1 (Tirana)

Bunk Art is a unique display of modern and contemporary artistic expression in Albania which is set in a very interesting place - in a war bunker just outside of Tirana, Albania's capital. Its original purpose was to provide protection for the elite circles of Albania in case of a war conflict. The war bunker space has been transformed to a space of almost 3000 sq meters and divided into several floors to host the art exhibition. Besides discovering the contemporary art of Albania, the sightseeing visitors can also learn about the history of Albania, especially the time of Communism when the war bunkers were built. There is an entrance fee to visit the Bunk Art gallery and it is open on daily basis for sightseeing.

3. Butrint National Park (Butrint)

Butrint National Park is probably the most remarkable of all the national parks of Albania. It is located just off the border between Albania and Greece, yet quite easily accessible from other parts of the country. The Butrint National Park consists of both the mainland and the adjacent islands, with a great number of lakes and lagoons. There are over one thousand different species of both fauna and flora occupying Butrint. Sightseeing here includes the natural beauty as well as historic heritage - Butrint National Park is likewise home of the ancient city called Buthrotum which was home of Greeks and Romans in the Classical period. Not far from Buthrotum, there is another archeological monument, the castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena from the time of the Ottomans.

4. Berat Fortress (Berat)

Berat fortress overlooks the picturesque city of Berat in the southern Albania. Berat was established on the banks of the Osum River and is considered to be one of the world's oldest cities which have been continuously inhabited since they were first constructed. Just like the city, Berat Castle dates back to the antiquity, but it was burned and destroyed several times by both Roman and Byzantine army. Its present state is from the 13.-14. century. Even though the fortress is partly damaged, it remains the main sightseeing landmark in this part of Albania for its magnificent character. Visiting Berat fortress inside allows for a view of over twenty churches as well as a mosque. Half a day, at least, should be allowed for the sightseeing tour of Berat fortress and the city.

5. Blue Eye (Saranda)

Blue Eye, which is known as Syri i Kalter in Albanian, is situated in the southern region of Albania called Vlore. The name Blue Eye refers to the color of the water of this natural spring which fills a fifty meter deep pool. The source of the water for the Blue Eye is the Bistrice river and the area is flanked by sycamore and oak trees. Blue Eye is a great place to include on a sightseeing tour of southern Albania, but time should be allowed for swimming in the pool as well. Blue Eye is also used as a hot diving spot. The best time to visit this stunning natural site is in the early summer when the numbers of divers as well as sightseeing tourists tend to be somewhat scarce.

6. Dajti Ekspres “Cable Car” (Tirana)

Dajti Ekspres is one of the most popular attraction in Albania. It is the longest cable car in Albania and the Balkan region which connects the Dajti Mountain with the area just outside of Tirana, the capital of Albania. Dajti is an excellent sightseeing point thanks to the variety of activities it offers: the cable car allows the visitors to reach the National Park of Dajti Mountain after a fifteen-minute ride. Besides hiking and mountain biking in Dajti National Park, one can also benefit from a breathtaking view of the scenery around the Dajti mountain from the viewing platform atop the Dajti Tower. There is an adventure park for children as well as several restaurants - one of them is in the Dajti Tower Hotel, adjacent to the rotating bar which allows for fantastic views of the area. Dante Ekspres operates six days a week and it is a great sightseeing activity all year round.

7. Rozafa Castle (Shkoder)

When sightseeing in the northern part of Albania, one should not miss the visit of the Rozafa castle. The Rozafa castle is situated near the Albanian city of Shkoder from which it is quite easily accessible. The beauty of the Rozafa castle lies in its position, first and foremost - it was built atop an impressive rock, 130 meters above the rivers Drina and Bojana. Rozafa hill was inhabited already in the second century by the Romans yet the present state of Rozafa dates back to the Ottoman control of Albania, from the 15th century on. The legend has it that the name Rozafa alludes to a wife of one of the three brothers who was sacrificed in order for the brothers to build a lasting and strong castle. Rozafa agreed to be walled in, and the locals believe that she is still present in the castle. The interior of Rozafa's castle consists of an impressive Mehmed Fatih mosque and can be visited with an entrance ticket.

8. Et'hem Bey Mosque (Tirana)

Et'hem Bey Mosque occupies the very heart of the capital of Albania, Tirana. The mosque dates back to the 18th century when it was built by the grand-grandson of Salesman Pasha, Et'hem Bey. The mosque was built in the center of Tirana, surrounded by an oriental bazaar. The bazaar did not survive the time of wars and the mosque itself was closed during the period of communism in Albania. Today, the mosque serves the Muslim worshippers who are numerous in Albania. Up to one thousand people attended its reopening in 1991. The mosque is also accessible to sightseeing - it is a stunning piece of Ottoman architecture with a number of beautiful frescoes which depict natural motifs. Among these motifs are waterfall and bridges which are not so common in the art of Islamic period and they refer to the natural beauty of Albania.

9. Gjirokaster Castle (Gjirokaster)

Gjirokaster Castle is situated in the southern part of Albania, and it is an ideal stop during sightseeing in this picturesque region. Just as numerous other castles and fortress in Albania, Gjirokaster was built and used by the Ottomans albeit an existence of a citadel is from the pre-Otoman period. Gjirokaster Castle was built atop a hill with 336 meters in altitude, overlooking the town and a river valley. Significant renovations were done in the nineteenth century and the Gjirokaster fortress today consists of five towers, a church, a cistern as well as a military museum. National Folk Festival is celebrated at Gjirokaster Castle every five years - that is why a stage is set up in the castle complex. The castle is open to sightseeing against a ticket, and the tour is definitely worth the visit.

10. Kruja Castle

While on a sightseeing trip of Albania, the medieval town of Kruja definitely deserves a visit. Krupa is a town which was once occupied by the Ottomans, but even before that it used to serve as the seat of a christian bishop. The landmark of the town is the castle which is built on the slope of the Sari-Salitiku hill, bearing the name of the the town - Krupa. The castle dates back to the early medieval period and it boasts of nine strong observation towers. Museums have been set up in the castle - one of them is called the Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg and it commemorates life and works of the Ottoman general who conquered the castle in the 15th century. The other museum of the Krupa Castle premises is the Ethnographic one, and it maps the culture and tradition of the unique region of northern Albania. While sightseeing in Krupa, the traditional bazar which paves the way to the castle is worth visiting as well.

◎ Closing

Albania, albeit small, is a country which has a lot to offer. The natural beauty of Albania and its ancient and Ottoman history are the most important characteristics of tourist interest here. While in Albania, one should visit both its mountains and valleys as well as its many well-preserved castles. Albania is still very little known to the world of tourism and therefore is a true gem of this European region.