Ancient city enriched by the mutual interplay of cultural forces of the Islamic and Christian worlds, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Albania - Tirana.
From the 7th century BC, the Illyrians inhabited the area of today’s Albania. Between 229 and 168 BC, the Romans defeated the Illyrians and established a protectorate of Illyricum. After the division of the Roman Empire in 395, the territory of today’s Albania was given to the Eastern Empire (Byzantium). In 1385, Ottomans invaded Albania and ruled for five centuries. Skanderbeg, the Albania's leader, waged a war of independence against the Ottomans starting in 1443, and enjoyed remarkable success in rejecting them until his death in 1468. Throughout the turbulent history in which various rulers overlapped (Turks, Russians, Italians, Germans), Albania managed to fight for the status of an independent state and the distinctive identity of its people.
There are many hypotheses about the origin of the name Tirana. According to one of them it is assumed that the name is derived from the word "Theranda" mentioned in Greek and Latin historical sources meaning "fallen material" - in accordance with the composition of the field generated of solid land coated by the river from a nearby mountain. Besides, in the 6th century the Byzantine historian Procopius mentions name "Tirkan" for the castle on the mountain Dajti built in the 1st century BC whose ruins still exist. It is also mentioned the Ancient Greek word "Tiros" meaning "milky", assuming that in this city gathered shepherds from surrounding areas so they could sell their dairy products.
It is often erroneously stated that Suleiman Pasha, Turkish commander at the time of the Ottoman conquest of Persia (17th century), named Tirana, after Tehran, the capital of today’s Iran (former Persia). This theory is contradicted by the evidence that the name of Tirana (in its present form) appears in one Venetian document in 1418. According to the first land registration under the Ottomans (in 1431/32) it is know that back then Tirana consisted of 60 inhabited areas - with almost 1000 houses and 7300 inhabitants. Also, the first history of Albania written by Marin Barleti says that in the 15th century Small and Large Tirana town existed.
When Sulejman Pasha founded the city in 1614, his first constructions were mosque, bakery and hamam (Turkish bath). Two centuries later, the family Toptani of Kruja took control over the city. The city began to grow rapidly at the beginning of the 18th century, but remained insignificant until its proclamation of the capital city. The construction of mosque in the center of Tirana called Ethem Beu was made by the best artists in the country. Its construction began back in 1789, but the grandson of Sulejman Pasha completed it in 1821. They began to build the clock tower in 1821/22, and it was completed thanks to the help of the richest families of Tirana. In 1928, Albania bought a modern clock in Germany and raised it to the height of 35 meters. This clock was damaged during The Second World War, but returned to function in July 1946. The Orthodox Church of Saint Procopius was built in 1780, and the Catholic, Saint Mary's in 1865.
Tirana was declared as the temporary capital of Albania on February 8th 1920. Later that year, when the Italian influence became too strong, the center started to look for a worthy capital city. It was designed by Florestano de Fausto and Armando Brasini, the architects of the Mussolini’s period in Italy. They developed the central square named after the national hero Skanderbeg, large boulevard, building ministries, the Palace of the brigade, building of the National Bank and City Hall. Tirana acquired the official status of the capital on December 31st 1925.
The National Martyrs Boulevard was built in 1930, and was given the name Zogu I Boulevard. During the communist period, one part was called Stalin Boulevard. The Palace of Culture, where the Theater, Opera and Ballet, as well as the National Library, stand, was completed in 1963. The Skanderbeg monument was raised in 1968, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of this great national hero. The building of the Academy of Sciences was completed in April 1972. The Gallery of Figurative Arts was created in 1976, and includes around 3200 works by Albanian and foreign artists. The National History Museum was built in 1981, and ornamental mosaics located on its front side are called "Albania". The International Cultural Centre, the former Enver Hoxha Museum, was opened in 1988. It is popularly called "The Pyramid" and it was designed by a group of architects led by Pranvera, daughter of the dictator Enver, and her husband Klement Kolaneci. In 2000, the city center - from the main campus of the University until the Skanderbeg Square - was declared for the place of cultural gatherings with specific requirements for the protection of the state. That same year, began the process of restoration of this area under the name "The Return of Identity." In October 2001, Edi Rama, a former art teacher and painter, with the support of the Socialist Party, was elected as the mayor of Tirana. He began series of projects that significantly changed the appearance of the city.
All this shows that the capital of Tirana today is the center of political, economic and cultural life in Albania. In recent few years, there were significant changes in its appearance. Boring blocks of flats built in the communist style are painted over in bright colors and abstract patterns on the initiative of the mayor. This action was not only a quick fix, but also an inspirational experience and encouragement - both for residents and for visitors. In addition, this increased the development of modern infrastructure contributed to the metropolitan scenery.
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