Skanderbeg Square, Tirana (must see)
Skanderbeg Square, known in Albanian as Sheshi Skënderbej, is the primary square in Tirana. It was named after Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu, a military leader who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Usually referred to as Skanderbeg, he referred to himself as the "Lord of Albania" and is considered a national hero.
The public square was originally built in 1917. It was primarily comprised of a fountain in the center of a square surrounded by the Old Bazaar, the Orthodox Cathedral and the City Hall. The main feature of the square is the Skanderbeg Monument, erected in honor of Skanderbeg.
Buildings around the square include City Hall, Ethem Bey Mosque, National Bank, National Historical Museum, National Library, National Opera, Palace of Culture and several governmental ministry buildings. The Clock Tower is also located along Skanderbeg Square.
Skanderbeg Square received the European Prize for Urban Public Space in 2018. It also received a prize from the European Union for Contemporary Architecture in 2019.
The public square was originally built in 1917. It was primarily comprised of a fountain in the center of a square surrounded by the Old Bazaar, the Orthodox Cathedral and the City Hall. The main feature of the square is the Skanderbeg Monument, erected in honor of Skanderbeg.
Buildings around the square include City Hall, Ethem Bey Mosque, National Bank, National Historical Museum, National Library, National Opera, Palace of Culture and several governmental ministry buildings. The Clock Tower is also located along Skanderbeg Square.
Skanderbeg Square received the European Prize for Urban Public Space in 2018. It also received a prize from the European Union for Contemporary Architecture in 2019.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tirana. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Skanderbeg Square on Map
Sight Name: Skanderbeg Square
Sight Location: Tirana, Albania (See walking tours in Tirana)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tirana, Albania (See walking tours in Tirana)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tirana, Albania
Create Your Own Walk in Tirana
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tirana is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tirana Introduction Walking Tour
Tirana is Albania's largest city. It is also the country's center of culture and government. Though the city itself was founded by the Ottomans in 1614, its history goes back to earlier times.
The Romans settled in the area that would become Tirana in the 3rd century. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I built a castle that has some remnants left for tourists to see today. Tirana Castle,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
The Romans settled in the area that would become Tirana in the 3rd century. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I built a castle that has some remnants left for tourists to see today. Tirana Castle,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Communist Heritage Sites
The people of Albania lived in a Communist state from 1976 through 1992. The country was ruled by one party, the Party of Labor of Albania. Dictator Enver Hoxha held power over the country and established a Stalinist-style of administration.
Citizens were oppressed by the secret police, known as the Sigurimi. They would spy on anyone who they believed to be an enemy of the state. Those who were... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Citizens were oppressed by the secret police, known as the Sigurimi. They would spy on anyone who they believed to be an enemy of the state. Those who were... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles