Written by admin on 29 July 2010
Kulla e Sahatit
Tirana’s clock tower was built in 1822. There are 90 level in the form of coil. It is 35 meters high and up to 1970 was the highest buildings of the capital. Originally had a bell to bring that fall from Venice every hour. Domes placed on top gives it a type of architecture alla San Marco.
In 1928 the Municipality of Tirana bought a clock from Germany. This hour was destroyed during World War II and was replaced in 1946 by bringing the church clock of Shkodra, which had V. Today’s time is set in 1970. Clock Tower is open to tourists since 1996. It is also the symbol of the symbol of Tirana.
Tirana’s clock tower was built in 1830 near the Ethem Bey mosque in central Tirana, Albania’s national capital. This is probably one of the most photographed buildings in the whole country.
09:00-13:00, 16:00-18:00. Closed Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday. Positioned in the city center, this tower has become a symbol of Tirana. It is one of the oldest constructions in Tirana, built in the 1820′s. 10 lek.
09:00-13:00, 16:00-18:00. Closed Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday. Positioned in the city center, this tower has become a symbol of Tirana. It is one of the oldest constructions in Tirana, built in the 1820′s. 10 lek.
Tags: kulla e sahatit, The Et'hem Bey Mosque
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Written by admin on 29 July 2010
The historical Ethem Bey mosque
The Et’hem Bey Mosque is located in the center of the Albanian capital Tirana. Construction was started in 1789 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1823 by his son Ethem Pasha (Haxhi Ethem Bey), great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha.
During the totalitarianism of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania, the mosque was closed. In January 18, 1991, despite opposition from communist authorities, 10,000 people entered carrying flags. This was at the onset of 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.
The mosque in 1943
Lit up at night
Tours of the mosque are given daily, though not during prayer service
The historical Ethem Bey mosque is situated in Tirana. Right in the centre of the city, in Skanderberg´s square. It is the oldest building in the city. Construction works of the mosque began in 1789 and finished in 1923. During the comunism was the mosque closed and survived also a violent atheism. Interior of the mosque is decorated by paintings of trees, waterfalls, flowers and bridges. Further we can see life-forms there, very strange component of islamic art.
Several major tourist attractions can be mentioned in the town’s surroundings, like Tirana about 0.3 km, Krujë about 21 km, Drač about 30 km, National History Museum of Albania about 0.3 km, Dajti National Park about 10 km, Tirana Grand Park about 3.7 km, Petrela Castle about 9 km, Tirana – The mother of Albania about 2.8 km, Skanderbeg´s monument about 0.1 km, Mali me Gropa about 21 km
Tags: Albanian capital Tirana, The Et'hem Bey Mosque
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Written by admin on 29 July 2010
The National Martyrs Cemetery of Albania
The National Martyrs Cemetery of Albania is the largest cemetery in Albania, located on a hill overlooking Tirana. Some 900 partisans who died during World War II are buried in the cemetery.
This cemetery holds the remains of 900 partisans who fought for Tirana in WWII. The 12m-high dynamic white statue of Mother Albania, inaugurated in 1972, watches over the graves in a windswept gown. Enver Hoxha used to be buried at her feet until he fell from grace in 1991. From the heights of the cemetery, Tirana and Mt. Dajti are spread out panoramically before you. A short drive on the bus to Sauk.
This is the cemetery where the remains of partisans that fought for Tirana are buried. Also, here one can find the statues of Mother Albania.
This is the cemetery where the remains of 900 partisans that fought for Tirana are buried. Here one can also find the 12m statue of Mother Albania (1972). Hoxha was buried here in 1985 but exhumed in 1992 and moved to the other side of the city.
The Martyrs’ Cemetery is at the top of the hill, on the other side of the road, and is where some 900 partisans who died in WWII are buried. The views over the city and surrounding mountains are excellent. Many still come here, clutching laurel sprigs to pay their respects under the shadow of the immense, beautiful and strangely androgynous Mother Albania statue (1972). Hoxha was buried here in 1985, but was exhumed in 1992 and interred in an ordinary graveyard on the other side of town.
Tags: Albania, largest cemetery, martyrs' cemetery, National Martyrs Cemetery of Albania
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Written by admin on 29 July 2010
The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum first opened its doors to the public on Easter Monday in 1881, but its origins go back more than 250 years.
It all started when physician and collector of natural curiosities, Sir Hans Sloane, left his extensive collection to the nation in 1753.
Originally Sloane’s specimens formed part of the British Museum, but as other collections were added, including specimens collected by botanist Joseph Banks on his 1768-1771 voyage with Captain James Cook aboard HMS Endeavour, the natural history elements started to need their own home.
Sir Richard Owen, Superintendent of the British Museum’s natural history collection, persuaded the Government that a new museum was needed. He had an ambitious plan – to display species in related groups and to exhibit typical specimens with prominent qualities.
The chosen site in South Kensington was previously occupied by the 1862 International Exhibition building, once described as ‘the ugliest building in London’. Ironically, it was the architect of that building, Captain Francis Fowke, who won the design competition for the new Natural History Museum.
However, in 1865 Fowke died suddenly and the contract was awarded instead to a rising young architect from Manchester, Alfred Waterhouse.
Waterhouse altered Fowke’s design from Renaissance to German Romanesque, creating the beautiful Waterhouse Building we know today. By 1883 the mineralology and natural history collections were in their new home. But the collections were not finally declared a museum in their own right until 1963.
The Museums are open every day, including Sundays and bank holidays, but closed 24 – 26 December.
The giant animatronic T.rex model in our Dinosaurs gallery is back on public display following major refurbishment. The Dinosaurs gallery upper walkway has also re-opened.
The Earth Hall, including the escalator, is closed for essential work until August 2010. The Deli Cafe, Earth Shop, Exhibition Road entrance and all other Red Zone galleries remain open.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these closures.
For your security, most areas of the Museum are protected by CCTV.
On entry to the Museum your bags and other personal items will be inspected. We advise you not to bring any sharp objects such as metal knives, forks, scissors, etc. to the Museum, as they may be confiscated.
Tags: British Museum, The Natural History Museum
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Written by admin on 29 July 2010
Petrela Tower
This is one of Albania’s best preserved castles, found a short distance south of Tirana.It is known as an ancient settlement 2000 years old and was commanded by princess Mamica, the sister of the national hero, Skanderbeg
Petrela Tower is one of the oldest structures in Tirana. The tower in the center was built in the 5th century AD, although most of the remainder is Byzantine dating from between the 11th and 14th centuries.
Petrela Castle also called the Petrel is located in central Albania, near the capital Tirana . It lies on the right side of the main road from Tirana to Elbasan. Its location naturally attracts the attention of many visitors. Petrela Castle is located on the mountainous hill above the village of the same name. It has a triangular shape and 2 observation towers. Although there already existed ancient fortifications at this site, the current design refers to “only” the 15th century. Inside the castle is a restaurant. Petrela Castle offers visitors a unique views of the valley Erzen, picturesque hills, olive groves and distant mountains.
Several major tourist attractions can be mentioned in the town’s surroundings, like Tirana about 8 km, Et’hem Bey Mosque about 9 km, Drač about 34 km, National History Museum of Albania about 9 km, Tirana Grand Park about 7 km, Tirana – The mother of Albania about 6 km, Skanderbeg´s monument about 9 km, Prilep about 142 km
Tags: central Albania, Petrela Castle, the Petrel
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Written by admin on 27 July 2010
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Mount Dajti
- 1,612m high. Offers great views of Tirana. A very relaxing area, mount Dajti can be reached through an Austrian-built express cable car. The view along the route is worth the cost even if you don’t stay atop the mountain.A place where one can spend holidays and engage in various activities like trekking, excursions, sky sports,ski etc.The area has a limited number of hotels and restaurants, but it is great for taking a breath of fresh air, mountain sports, or to just get out of the city for a while. Unfortunately, litter is becoming a problem on Mount Dajti. This detracts from the experience somewhat, but the beautiful scenery still makes the trip worthwhile. 500 lek.
- Blloku (The Block). This area, prior to the fall of communism, was reserved solely for government officials and was not allowed to be entered by the commoner. Opened to the public in 1991. It has since become the number one spot for Tirana’s youth. Among the apartment blocks, one can find some of Tirana’s best cafés, shops, and restaurants. The streets, especially in summer afternoons, are filled with Tirana’s citizens. You can also find here the villa of the former dictator, Enver Hoxha.
- Piramida (International Center of Culture). The pyramid was built in 1987 according to the design of Enver Hoxha’s daughter and was originally a museum of her father. Today it’s a venue for many conventions and art events. US president George W Bush gave a speech in front of this building. The building was the most expensive erected under communism, and there are plans for future changes into it. The new designs are worked by architectural firm associated with Hoxha’s daughter.
Tags: albenia, dajti express, hotel dajti, mount dajti, mount me
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Written by admin on 27 July 2010
Tirana Zoo
Tirana Zoo offers visitors not no thing, just a clean environment and greenery, as animals are to extinction in the garden. So far are only six types of animals. Among those which bear, lion, tiger, wolf, fox and some lama. But where are the environment within most of these animals, it is impossible to enter due to bad wind. Even though the windows were open all the time, which is part lion, wolf and tiger is impossible to go because of heavy smelling and there are plenty of insects. Although many children look like the lion and tiger, their parents do not send to visit because of pollution. They only saw mjaftohen Lama, as they are more numerous, and not only of a kind as other animals …!
State Park
National Zoo Park near Tirana Artificial Lake, once highly populated by wild animals and birds, today’s “shrink” left in limbo. Tirana Park Zoo was established in 1966, nearly four decades ago, while that day is not set up. Premises where animals stay wild birds are the same. Among the many problems faced by employees of this park is the lack of water. Lions park seems to be taken “spirit” in a space of 150 square meters in the same condition is ape Silva, who does not lack anything to eat, but in that small space is not the privileges of being free. But despite the very low number of species of animals, people’s interest is too great, especially on weekends. Biletashitësit According to the zoo, just on Sunday by winning tickets picked up some new 30 thousand lek, after going more than 300 guests. But other days of the week when the weather is good and not missing visitors, during a day on average 40-70 people go. The beauty of this garden is beginning to fade considerably, especially with multi palaces being built around it. These buildings “giant” is not only caught the spirit of this park, but because of numerous construction and lack of sewage wastewater, these previously known as a dead swan lake have already been turned into marshes. Frekuentuesit most numerous are some frogs and ducks, while many now dead swan has left only one, which rarely enter the water because it is very polluted. But what is left in limbo is full of buildings that previously, when the Zoo was in the days of blooming, used only for the exposure of birds. This building was the most different kinds of them, including fazanët. But now it is just an outdated building that is not used for any thing, as it is to fall. Visitors of the park shows that come to these places not on animals, as they have very little left, but for the last few hours in peace. In this way the function of the Zoo has changed significantly, leaving aside the main goal, fun children and families who visit the park in the capital.
Grand Park aka Parku Kombetar (and Other Parks), (southern part of the city). People have picnics and have fun, and the natural beauty allows it because of the huge trees, open spaces, and mountains surrounding them. An artificial lake lies in the middle of the Park. It is popular with locals and tourists as a place to walk around and enjoy a lunch or coffee at one of the restaurants or cafés. Over 120 types of plants.
Rruga Presidenti George Bush (Bush Street). This street was named after US President George W. Bush in honor of his recent visit.
Tags: tirana zoo, zoo motel, zoo vet pc
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Written by admin on 27 July 2010
national library of albania
The library holds over a million books and is known for its ancient collections.
The National Library of Albania is an Albanian national library headquartered in the capital, Tirana. It was founded in 1920 and inaugurated on December 10, 1922.
The National Library of Albania (NLA) was founded in 1920. The Albano-Balcanological collection of the Albanian Literature Commission, a joint Albanian-Austrian organism, established in the city of Shkodra in 1917, served as a nucleus of a national library. In 1920, this collection was carried from Shkodra to Tirana. Since that year, efforts were made for enriching these collections, as well as for its reorganization as a national institution.
December 10, 1922 is the national library’s inauguration date. At that time, it had approximately 6000 volumes. The end of World War II found the NLA with a collection of 15,000 volumes. The collections of Albanological character primarily increased as a result of the confiscation of some private bookshops and libraries pertaining to personalities of culture. At the end of the year 1947, its stacks counted about 100,000 volumes. At present, the NLA collections are about one million items (books, periodicals, maps, atlases, microfilms, and other library materials). It is organized and acts under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The NLA has become a member of IFLA, LIBER, ELAG, CENL, CDNL, etc. The NLA has book lending and exchange relations with various libraries in Europe and elsewhere.
Tags: library document delivery, scan robot, scanrobot
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Written by admin on 27 July 2010
Taiwan is also known as Formosa
Taiwan,also known as Formosa, it is an island situated in East Asia in the Western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, and comprises most of the territory of the Republic of China (ROC) since the 1950s. The term “Taiwan” has also become a commonly used alternative name both domestically and internationally to refer to the entire country of Republic of China after ROC lost international diplomatic recognition as “China” in the 1970′s.
Separated from the Asian continent by the 120 kilometres (75 mi) wide Taiwan Strait, the main island of the group is 394 kilometres (245 mi) long and 144 kilometres (89 mi) wide. To the northeast are the main islands of Japan and the East China Sea, and the southern end of the Ryukyu Islands of Japan is directly to the east; the Philippines lie to its south across the Bashi Channel. The mountainous island spans the Tropic of Cancer and is covered by tropical and subtropical vegetation. Other minor islands and islets of the group include the Pescadores, Green Island, and Orchid Island as well as the Diaoyutai Islands which have been controlled by Japan since the 1970s and are known as the Senkaku-shotō.
Taiwan has been governed by the Republic of China since 25 October 1945 when the Republic of China acquired Taiwan from the Empire of Japan as a result of World War II. Four years later the Republic of China lost the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party of China and retreated to Taiwan. Taiwan now composes most of ROC’s territory and the ROC itself is commonly known as “Taiwan”. The political status of Taiwan is disputed because it is claimed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) which was established in 1949 on mainland China and considers itself the successor state to the ROC.Japan had originally acquired Taiwan from the Qing Empire in 1895 per Article 2 of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. At the end of World War II, Japan renounced all claims to sovereignty over its former colonial possessions after World War II including Taiwan and Penghu (Pescadores),but did not specify to whom Taiwan and Penghu should be assigned. This fact and subsequent handling of Taiwan’s sovereignty by the Allies of World War II led to the complex and unresolved issues of the legal and political status of Taiwan (See below).
Taiwan’s rapid economic growth in the decades after World War II has transformed it into an advanced economy as one of the Four Asian Tigers.This economic rise is known as the Taiwan Miracle. It is categorized as an advanced economy by the IMF and high-income economy by the World Bank. Its technology industry plays a key role in the global economy.Taiwanese companies manufacture a large portion of the world’s consumer electronics, although most of them are made in their factories in mainland China.
Taiwan’s climate is marine tropical. The northern part of the island has a rainy season that lasts from January through late March during the northeast monsoon, and experiences meiyu in May. The entire island experiences hot, humid weather from June through September. The middle and southern parts of the island do not have an extended monsoon season during the winter months. Natural hazards such as typhoons and earthquakes are common in the region.
Taiwan is a center of bird endemism; see Endemic birds of Taiwan for further information.
Tags: taiwan 18, taiwan a, taiwan g, taiwan who
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Written by admin on 27 July 2010
Tirana International Film Festival
The Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF) is the first and only international cinema festival of its kind in Albania. Created in 2003, this extraordinary cultural event takes place under the auspices of the Albanian National Center for Cinematography (QKK).
The seventh edition of the Tirana International Film Festival is on the eve of its closing night, tomorrow night, December 6, 2009. The Sunday evening award ceremony will be followed by a gala celebration in the National Theatre where most of the ten day festival took place.
This was the first year that TIFF expanded into a features competition after its previous six editions which were mostly shorts and special programs. The competing shorts and features that fill the day-long programs have been featured in numerous festivals including Sundance, Berlin, Cannes and Locarno.
The festival opened with an out of competition showing of Serb director Goran Paskaljevic’s ‘Honeymoons’, the first Albanian-Serbian co-production and co-written by festival programmer Genc Permeti and produced by festival director Ilir Butka.
A packed hall on Friday night watched Filippos Tsitos comedy of a man discovering his Albanian roots, ‘Plato’s Academy’ which is sure to be a top contender for the grand prize. The film was attended by the Greek director as well as one of the Albanian stars Anastas Kozdine who received a thunderous ovation in the theater after the films introduction.
The festival was also marked with half a dozen special screenings and programs including a tribute to Albanian film pioneer Viktor Gjika, a collection of Chinese propaganda films and several rare prints of international classics from the vaults of the Albanian State Film Archive.
Sunday’s closing awards will also feature a lifetime achievement award given to Greek master filmmaker Theo Angelopoulous, who will be visiting Albania the subject of many of his acclaimed motion pictures. During the nine days, three of his classic films were featured in special screening in Tirana’s Sheraton Hotel, the location of many of the special programs.
Among the attendees of Sunday nights closing will be a number of visiting foreign artists and filmmakers to Albania among the German experimental filmmaker Sylvia Schedelbauer, American indie producer Paul Mezey along with deciding jurors Josh Marston (Maria Full of Grace), American character Richard Edson and British experimental legend Ben Rivers.
the closing night of Tirana, Albania’s seventh international film festival wrapped last Sunday with a gala awards show in the capital city’s national theater.
The ten-day event was the first festival in which the categories grew from the previous shorts only competition into features and extended special programs.
Thirteen countries competed for the top prize including fiction and documentary films from the United States (Cold Souls, Mock Up On Mu) as well as Albania (East West East).
The winner for the best film was a split decision between Javier Rebollo’s Spanish San Sebastian winning ‘Woman Without A Piano’ and Filipos Tsitos’ Greek comedy ‘Plato’s Academy’.
‘Plato’s Academy’, deadpan tale of three Athens racists who train their dog to bark at Albanians then discover one of their own is Albanian himself, was an audience favorite when it screened the previous Friday.
Albanian actor Anastasis Kozdine collected the ‘Plato’s trophy and gave an emotional speech calling for the power of art and cinema to heal the centuries old wounds between Albania and neighboring Greece.
The Spanish ambassador collected the award for ‘Woman Without a Piano’ for director Javier Rebollo who had been in Albania earlier in the week to present the film along with Czech actor Jan Budar. Before leaving Albania, Rebollo announced his intention to return and begin developing a project in Tirana.
Award-winning Albanian director Gjergj Xhuvani (Slogans, Dear Enemy) walked onstage to collect the Best Director award for his comic end of the cold war tale ‘East West East’. Minutes later Xhuvani applauded the announcement that the entire ensemble cast of his film had won the best actor award. Earlier in the evening, Xhuvani had also presented a tribute to Albanian movie pioneer Viktor Gjika who had passed away in 2009.
The awards ceremony was capped with a lifetime achievement award given to Greek master Theo Angelopoulous who has shot several films dealing with Albanian themes (Ulysses Gaze, Eternity and a Day) that had screened in special programs in packed halls earlier in the week. Angelopoulous flew into Tirana from Athens especially for the occasion and received the honor and a special introduction from Albanian film veteran Piro Milkani (Sorrow of Mrs. Schneider).
Afterwards the public and winners mingled in an intimate celebration in the National Theatre courtyard along with jurors Josh Marston (Maria Full of Grace), British experimental filmmaker Ben Rivers and indie American actor Richard Edson.
Tags: albeni, couples romantic weekend, esther film, in tirana, international animated film festival, profarma
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