Sweet Freedoms in Tirana, Tirana, Albania
For to be free is not merely to cast off one鈥檚 chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others
Under the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha many freedoms were denied to Albanians. Among them the freedom to travel abroad, the freedom to express dissent, and the freedom to worship. Hoxha declared that 鈥榯he only religion of Albania is Albanianism鈥�.
Today鈥檚 Albania is very different and in the heart of Tirana we found three striking places of worship. All lie in the immediate vicinity of Skanderbeg Square where Hoxha鈥檚 statue once stood. One, the mosque, is historic; prior to Hoxha鈥檚 time the country was the only predominantly Muslim one in Europe. The other two are modern, both Christian cathedrals.
Our walk from the Catholic cathedral to the Orthodox one took us past both the mosque and Skanderbeg Square. If you鈥檝e never thought about visiting Tirana, join me to see a little of what the city has to offer.
This will make a pleasant Monday Walk for Jo, I hope, and fit well with Terri鈥檚 Sunday Stills theme of Temples, Churches, and Spiritual Centres. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Under the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha many freedoms were denied to Albanians. Among them the freedom to travel abroad, the freedom to express dissent, and the freedom to worship. Hoxha declared that 鈥榯he only religion of Albania is Albanianism鈥�.
Today鈥檚 Albania is very different and in the heart of Tirana we found three striking places of worship. All lie in the immediate vicinity of Skanderbeg Square where Hoxha鈥檚 statue once stood. One, the mosque, is historic; prior to Hoxha鈥檚 time the country was the only predominantly Muslim one in Europe. The other two are modern, both Christian cathedrals.
Our walk from the Catholic cathedral to the Orthodox one took us past both the mosque and Skanderbeg Square. If you鈥檝e never thought about visiting Tirana, join me to see a little of what the city has to offer.
This will make a pleasant Monday Walk for Jo, I hope, and fit well with Terri鈥檚 Sunday Stills theme of Temples, Churches, and Spiritual Centres. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Guide Name: Sweet Freedoms in Tirana
Guide Location: Albania » Tirana
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Sarah Wilkie
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Albania » Tirana
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Sarah Wilkie
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Skanderbeg Square
- St Paul鈥檚 Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ
- Et鈥檋em Bey Mosque
- statue of Sulejman Pasha
- Kapllan Pasha鈥檚 tomb
- statue to the Unknown Partisan
- National Historical Museum
- Tirana Hotel
- Palace of Culture
- clock tower
- House of Leaves
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