Albanian Art
The magic art is freed from the lie of being truth.
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Dajti National Park
Located to the east of Tirana, it has an area of 3,300 hectares. It is 50 km far from the international airport or 26 km from Tirana. The park has a number of 200 year old beech trees that are really worth visiting. The Park is frequented by daily visitors and it is considered Tirana’s “natural balcony.” Accommodation is available for tourists interested in more than day-long stays.Lura National Park
Lake Lura – Liqenet e LuresIt has an area of 1,280 hectares to the east of “Lura’s Crown.” The most picturesque feature is the 14 glacier lakes of Lura which are frozen in the winter. To the south you can visit the “field of mares” which has a wide variety of colourful plants and coniferous trees. The Park has great possibilities for developing eco-tourism.“Divjaka Pines” National Park
This Park is 40 km from the town of Lushnja or 5 km from Divjaka. It has an area of 1,250 hectares part of the Karavasta Lagoon under the protection of Ramsar International Convention since 1994. Here is one of the most important ecosystems in the country. The fauna of the Park is particularly rich with the “curly”/Dalmatian pelican here constituting about 5 percent of world population of this type of pelican.Llogara Park
LLogaraAbout 40 km to the southeast of Vlora, this Park is where the Adriatic becomes the Ionian sea. Near the Llogara Pass, a number of very interesting tree shapes due to wind currents can be observed. Ask for “Pisha Flamur” (Pine of the Flag).From the Llogara Pass, visitors can see the Ionian sea, the sharp slopes of Vetëtima (Lightning) mountain and a good part of the “Albanian Riviera.” It is a great spot for air sports as well as a wonderful climate due to the combination of
mountain and sea air.“Fir of Drenova” National Park
Located 10 km from the city of Korca, the park has an area of 1,380 hectares. It is visited frequently by locals as well as tourists. Many drinking water sources such as Shen Gjergji,. Plaka, Pllica and others are located in the Park.”Valbona Valley” National Park
With an area of 8,000 hectares this is the gem of Albanian Alps. It is located 25-30 km to the north west of Bajram Curri town. It lies between high mountain peaks and it is a festival of colors and contrasts. Its biodiversity makes it very important as a tourist attraction. Valbona village is the focal point of the Park. Its configuration, hydrology, forests, flowers, characteristic dwellings and the hospitality of its people make this park an ideal place to visit.Tomorri Mountain Park
With an area of 4,000 hectares, the Park is to the east of the museum city of Berat. From afar, the mountain of Tomorr gives the impression of a gigantic natural fortress. Here is also the grave of Abaz Aliu (Tyrba e Kulmakut), 1,200 m above sea level. Every August thousands of pilgrims go up to the Tyrba for a week thus stimulating religious tourism.Fir of Hotova National Park
With an area of 1,200 hectares in the region of Frashër, it is located about 35 km to the northeast of Përmet. Its characteristic is the Hotova Fir which is on of the most important Mediterranean plant relics of the country. Thanks to its great nature, healthy climate and proximity to living quarters, this Park has great recreational value year round.Shtama Pass National Park
With an area of 2,000 hectares, the Park is 25 km to the northeast of Kruja. The water sources “Queen Mother” is one of the most attractive spots in the Park with clean, cold and curative waters. The Park is frequented by a large number of visitors.Zall Gjocaj National Park
With an area of 140 hectares, it is 40 km to the north east of Burrel. It is a very picturesque park with a number of underground water sources and creeks.Prespa National Park
It has an area of 27,750 hectares and straddles the borders of three countries: Albania, Greece and Macedonia. It contains the lakes of Prespa e Madhe and Prespa e Vogël and their water source. It is an area rich with cultural tradition. Eremite Byzantine churches exist in the cave of Tren, Prespa e Vogël lake, Trajani’s castle, St. Mary’s Church and in the island of Maligrad. The two lakes have now become the Balkan Prespa Park.Butrint National Park
Butrinti ParkThis Park is located about 25 km to the south of Saranda. It has high scientific, tourist and archaeological values as well as a high biodiversity. The park is 2,500 hectares. The following activities can be carried out in this area: blue tourism in Ksamil, ecotourism in Butrint lake, fishing, water sports etc.Thethi National Park
Located in the Albanian Alps, by the Cursed Mountains (Bjeshkët e Namuna), it has an area of 2,630 hectares. It is 70 km far from Shkodra and is run through by the Theth river with a plentiful supply of mountain trout. The Grunas waterfall is particularly worth visiting. ThethAlso, there are many oak trees and a variety of animals in the park. -
No CommentsButrint
A pleasant narrow road overlooking the sea and marshes leads to Butrint through a landscape of olive and orange tree plantations. Butrint is situated 15km south of Saranda. The ancient city of Butrint, which is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was first inhabited by Illyrians.
The ancient city of Butrint is much preferable to be visited as an archaeological center, where antiquity and beauty intertwine. The archaeological excavations show that Butrint has been an important center of the Kaonian Illyrians, one of the big tribes of southern Illyria. According to discoveries made in the area, it has been proved that the site was inhabited as early as Paleolithic period. In the 6th century BC Greeks from Corfu settled here, along side Illyrians and the new colony prospered as the result of the trade. By the fifth century BC Buthroton was an Illyrian fortified city. In the fourth century BC Butrint had fallen to Epirus, and in 167 BC it was taken by Rome. It was a seat of a Byzantine bishop in the 10th century. Butrint was captured by the Normans in eleventh century and passed to Venice from 1690 to 1797, when Ali Pasha Tepelena captured it. With the fall of the Pashallek of Janina, in 1822, Butrint passed under Ottoman rule until 1913. Several excavations dating from the 1st and 4th centuries AD can now be visited, among them the Old Amphitheater, the Temple of Asklepios or Aesculapius, the Baptistery, Nymphaeum and the ancient city walls. Do not miss the Baptisteri, with a floor of colorful mosaics. An old fortress house a small museum watches over the whole site.
Apollonia
Apollonia is situated 12km from the city of Fier. Illyrian Apollonia was founded at the beginning of the 7th century BC by the Greek colonists coming from Corinth and Corcyra. But the first records we have of their presence there is in 588. During its first years of existence Apollonia kept close contacts with Corcyra and Corinth and played a part of a trade negotiator between Hellenians and Illyrians. Apollonia was in Roman times, a large and flourishing city near Aos river (today Vjosa). Of great interest to be visited are: The Encircling Wall, the Terraced Wall with arched gates, the monument of Agonothetes, the Library, the Odeon, the Portico, the House with mosaics, the Museum of Apollonia, the Church of St.Mary. Unfortunately, some of the statues and objects were appropriated before 1946 by other countries. Those remaining are displayed in the museum, which is housed in a 13th century monastery. The monastery courtyard encloses a Byzantine church dating back to the 14th century. Those foreigners who are interested in archaeological researches need much more time to explore the earliest traces of inhabitation in Albanian territory, which have been discovered in Xara (Saranda) and Gajtan (Shkoder) which date back to Palaeolithic Age, 100.000 years ago; Neolithic Age, 7000-3000 years B.C. include discoveries in Dunavec and Maliq (Korce); Iron Age, 3rd millennium B.C. Piskova (Permet), Barce (Korce), Pazhok (Elbasan). By the end of 2nd millenium and the first half of the 1st millenium B.C. Illyrians set up their settlements on hills encircling them with strong walls in the areas of Gajtan (Shkoder), Kalivo (Sarande), Tren (Korce).
Other ancient archaeological sites of Albania to be visited are: Amantia, Bylis, Antigonea, Albanopoli, Selca e Poshtme (Down Selca), Lisi.
AmantiaIts name was mentioned for the first time in the 4th century B.C. It is situated on the slope of a high hill and had only its acropolis fortified. By the 3rd century B.C., the town was strengthened economically and minted its own coins. There are still traces of the Aphrodite Temple, Theatre and the Stadium.
Bylis
It was the center of Illyrian tribe- Bylins and one of the most important and largest Illyrian cities, which developed during 4th century B.C. During the 3rd century B.C. were build the theatre (8000 seats), the stadium, the gymnasium etc. By the 1st century A.D. Bylis became a Roman colony. During 5th and 6th centuries, it became an important diocesan centre, which is proved by the discoveries of 6 basilicas whose floors are laid with mosaics of early Christian motifs.
Antigonea
A city founded in the 3rd century B.C.
Albanopoli
On a hill side near the village of Zgerdhesh (Kruje) are the ruins of the ancient city of “Albanopolis”, the capital of the Illyrian tribe “Alban” which flourished from the end of the 3rd century A.D. Its name is mentioned for the first time by Ptolemy in the 2nd century A.D. It is from the “Alban” Illyrian tribe that the country started to be called “Albania” and the people “Albanians”.
Selca e Poshtme (Down Selca).
There have been found ruins of an Illyrian city, which dates back to the 4th – 3rd centuries. At the beginning of 3rd century B.C., it became a centre of the Illyrian region of Dasaretias.
Lisi
A city founded by the end of 4th century B.C. During the 3rd-2nd century B.C. its surrounding walls separated it into three areas; Acropolis, Upper town and Down town that extended along Drini river. Its walls, 12 gates, and numerous towers are still well preserved.
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Korca’s National Museum of Medieval Art was founded in 1980.
Its exhibitions and rich collections include historical, cultural and artistic objects belonging to the medieval period, mainly connected to the Christian-Byzantine post-Byzantine heritage. Icons, stone sculptures, the collection of precious metal objects, carved wood, textiles, paper etc., are testify a precious heritage and diversity of values. Particularly, the Museum’s iconographic collection is one of the most important, with about 6.500 icons, whose quality can be compared to that present in the nearby territories belonging to the former Byzantine Empire.
This precious heritage, still preserved, protected and studied in present days, can be considered as a brave action on behalf of those who allowed its preservation by creating the National Museum of Medieval Art.
The main activities of the National Museum of Medieval Art are: exhibition and public promotion, protection, preservation and restoration of the objects, as well as study, scientific work and international activities. The Museum has a permanent exhibition hall with about 200 art objects, analysis and preservation labs, warehouses areas and a modest microclimate infrastructure. A team of experts, restorers, administrators and scientific researchers works in the museum.
In the exhibition halls are shown some of the best medieval age works, both by anonymous authors and renown artists. Remarkable are the XIII-XIV century icons, the masterpieces of masters like Onufri, Nikolla, Onufër Qiprioti, Simone from Ardeniza, Costantino the Teacher, Costantino Jeromonaku, Costantino Shpataraku, David Selenicasi, the Çetiri (Cattaro) Brothers, the Zografi Brothers and their children, and works by other authors who worked inside the Albanian territory and abroad. There are about 150 acknowledged Albanian and Italian authors.
Muzeu Kombëtar i Artit Mesjetar vizitohet nga një numur i konsiderueshëm artdashësish, pelegrinësh, studentësh, nxënësish vendas e të huaj. Ai është, pa dyshim, një qendër referimi e studiuesve, historianëve, teologëve edhe shkencëtarëve bizantologë nga i gjithë globi. Muzeu ka marrëdhënie bashkëpunimi me shumë institucione homologe ballkanike e europiane. Me vepra të tij apo të përbashkëta me galeri e institucione të tjerë shqiptarë janë çelur disa ekspozita ndërkombëtare si në Francë, Gjermani, Itali, etj. Jo rrallë përfaqësues të muzeut kanë marrë pjesë në konferenca e simpoziume shkencore ndërkombëtare në fushat e studimit dhe restaurimit. Muzeu krijon një atmosferë të veçantë njohurish e kulture në mjediset studentore e akademike të Universitetit të Korçës.
Unique and particular significant for the scientific cooperation, was the collaboration between Korca’s National Museum of Medieval Art, Salonicco’s Museum of Byzantine Culture and the National Centre for the Byzantine and post- Byzantine Culture, a project recently completed with a great success. Epilogue of the project was the opening, on 14th March 2006 of an exhibition with 72 of the 88 icons restored by Albanian and Greek restorers in Salonicco’s Museum of Byzantine Culture. This cooperation proves an important event in a period aimed at the integration of material and spiritual values in a different, multiethnic and multicultural global space. Furthermore, this project contributed to the mutual exchange of experiences by the managers, as well as study and administrative practice aimed at the improvement of restoration technological standards, the opening of the exhibition, the catalogue writing and the strengthening of relationships and agreements for the future.
Si epilog i tij, u çel me Dt.14.03.2006 nje ekspozitë me 72 ikona nga 88 ikonat e restauruara nga restauratoret grekë e shqiptarë në Muzeun e Kulturës Bizantine në Selanik, Ky bashkëpunim është ngjarje e rëndësishme në përpjekjet integruese të vlerave materiale e shpirtërore në një hapësirë globale diverse, multietnike e multikulturore europiane dhe kontribuoi në shkëmbimin dhe përfitimin e eksperiencave reciproke menaxhuese, studimore e administrative, në përmirësimin i standarteve teknologjike të restaurimit, çeljen e ekspozitës, botimin e katalogëve dhe forcimin e lidhjeve të qëndrueshme kooperuese për të ardhmen.
The work carried out in the National Museum of Medieval Art consists in the protection, preservation and valorisation of the cultural heritage hosted in it.
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