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Shkodër Lake Description: Lake Shkodër and Lake Shkodra – lies on the border of Albania and Montenegro, and is the largest lake in Southern Europe. It is named after the city of Shkodër in northern Albania. The Montenegrin section of the lake and surrounding land has been designated as a national park, while the Albanian […]

St Stephen’s Catholic Cathedral History One of the grandest in the Balkans, the Cathedral of Shkodra has had an extraordinary story of survival. The Cathedral of St. Stephen, the patron saint of the city of Shkodra, is also known as the Great Church. Once upon a time, the cathedral was located within the walls of […]

Ebu Bekr Mosque History: The Ebu Bekër Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia Ebu Beker) is a mosque in Shkodër City, Shkodër County, Albania. The mosque was designed by ARC Architectural Consultants and built from 1994 to 1995 on the site of the old Fushë Çela Mosque, which was destroyed during the communist era, with funding from Saudi entrepreneur Sheikh Zamil Abdullah Al-Zamil. It is named after Abu […]

Rozafa Castle History: Rozafa Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Rozafës), also known as the Shkodër Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Shkodrës) is a castle near the city of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania. It rises imposingly on a rocky hill, 130 metres (430 ft) above sea level, surrounded by the Buna and Drin rivers. Shkodër is the seat of Shkodër County, and is one of Albania’s oldest and most historic towns, […]

Borsh History: Borsh Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Borshit) also known as Sopot Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Sopotit) from the hill it is located, is a ruined castle near the village Borsh, Albania, near the coast of the Ionian Sea. Inside the castle is the 17th-century Hajji Bendo Mosque from Ottoman times. The castle dates to Antiquity, and its fortifications follow the trace of an acropolis, with four subsequent phases of […]

Ksamil Islands & Beaches: (Staying) Ksamil is a hidden-gem. Albania as a country is new and upcoming tourist destination within Europe. When you visit Albania, you cannot miss the highlight Ksamil Beach!   Ksamil is a paradise-like beach destination in the south of Albania. The Albanian Riviera has many pretty beaches. But this beach gives […]

Phoenice Archaeological Park History: Phoenice or Phoenike (Greek: Φοινίκη) was an ancient Greek city in Epirus and capital of the Chaonians. It was also the location of the Treaty of Phoenice which ended the First Macedonian War, as well as one of the wealthiest cities in Epirus until the Roman conquest. During the early Byzantine period, Phoenice was the see of a bishopric. The city is an archaeological park of Albania […]

Gjin Aleksi Mosque History: Gjin Aleksi Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Gjin Aleksit, Turkish: Kinaleksi Mescidi) is a 15th-century mosque in the village of Rusan, near Delvinë, Albania. It is a Cultural Monument of Albania. The mosque is distinguished for the high quality of acoustics that is obtained through casks that are strategically placed in holes in the walls. The Gjin Aleksi Mosque is a […]

Monastery of 40 Saints History: The Monastery of the Forty Saint Martyrs (Albanian: Rrënojat e Manastirit të 40 Shenjtorëve,Greek: Ιερά Μονή των Αγιών Σαράντα Μαρτύρων, Iera Moni ton Agion Saranta Martyron) is a ruined Eastern Orthodox monastery overlooking the coastal city of Sarandë in southern Albania. The monastery was erected during the 6th century AD and possibly became for at least one millennium the most […]

The Blue Eye Hisotry: The “Blue Eye” (Albanian: Syri i Kaltër) is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near the village of Muzinë in Finiq municipality, southern Albania. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river can be seen from a depth of more than fifty metres. Divers have descended to fifty metres, but it is still unclear what the actual depth […]