Tirana County - Landmarks

Landmarks

Tirana contains many notable landmarks which are of major importance to the regional cultural heritage. These include Tirana Castle and national monuments such as the Skanderbeg Monument, Enver Hoxha Mausoleum, the Suleyman Pasha Tomb, the Tomb of Kapllan Pasha, Unknown Soldier and Mother Albania (statue). Outside of Tirana is Petrelë Castle.

The construction of Et'hem Bey Mosque commenced in 1789 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1823 by his son Edhem Pasha (Haxhi Ethem Bey), great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha. During the totalitarianism of the Socialist People's Republic of Albania, the mosque was closed. However, on January 18, 1991, despite opposition from communist authorities, 10,000 people entered carrying flags during the fall of communism in Albania. The frescoes of the mosque depict trees, waterfalls and bridges; still life paintings are a rarity in Islamic art. Tirana contains several important Christian places of worship such as the St Paul's Cathedral, Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church, Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana and Saint Procopius Church of Tirana. The church of Shën Premte, located in the village of Çetë in Kavajë District has also been a recognized Cultural Monument since 1963. A notable mosque is located in Kavajë.

Most of the major museums in Tirana County are located in the city of Tirana. These include museums of national importance such as the National Historical Museum, National Gallery of Figurative Arts of Albania, Natural Sciences Museum of Albania, National Archaeological Museum, Ethnographic Museum and the National Archives of Albania. The National Archives were created in 1949 by Government decree and contains documents of national and international importance. The main library in Tirana County is the National Library of Albania in Tirana, founded in 1920. and inaugurated on December 10, 1922.

Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake was built in the 1950s and was formerly called Park of Saint Procopius from the Saint Procopius Church of Tirana, that is located there. The park includes the Presidential Palace of Tirana, whose building was started by Zog of Albania. The park also includes Botanical Gardens of Tirana and Tirana Zoo and also a complex of swimming pools.