The capital has as its hub is Sheshi Skënderbej, named after the national hero Gjergj Kastrioti (aka Skanderbeg), revered for revolting - ultimately unsucessfully - against the Ottomans in the 15th century (that´s ol´ Skandy on a horse in the photo at the top, part of a 36-foot-tall statue installed in 1968). Other major sites around the square include the Et´hem Bey Mosque, the Communist-era National Museum, National Palace of Culture (home to the National Theater of Opera and Ballet, and the Tirana International Hotel, (updated for the 21st century), as well as the Bank of Albania and the Tirana City Hall , built in the 1930s. 

Read more in my post Our Eye-opening Exploration of Albania.


David Paul Appell