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albania [2021/09/13 08:33]
aga created
albania [2022/01/19 07:44] (current)
aga
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 ==== City of a thousand windows ==== ==== City of a thousand windows ====
 Berat (alb. Berati) is a city in central Albania, on the river Osum. Due to the characteristic location on the slope of the hill, the place is called "the city of a thousand windows". The city is rich in monuments, including medieval Byzantine fortress, Royal Mosque (built-in 1493, with frescoes from the eighteenth century), Icon Museum. [([[https://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/central-albania/berat|Lonely Planet]])] Berat (alb. Berati) is a city in central Albania, on the river Osum. Due to the characteristic location on the slope of the hill, the place is called "the city of a thousand windows". The city is rich in monuments, including medieval Byzantine fortress, Royal Mosque (built-in 1493, with frescoes from the eighteenth century), Icon Museum. [([[https://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/central-albania/berat|Lonely Planet]])]
 +
 +==== Enver Hoxha ====
 +During the bloody reign of dictator Enver Hoxha from 1945 to 1985, more than 700,000 bunkers were built across the country. [([[https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181102-the-cold-war-bunkers-that-cover-a-country|BBC]])]
 +
 +==== Atheist state ====
 +During the years of Enver Hoxha's reign, Albania became the world's first officially atheist state. [([[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343627292_State-Sponsored_Atheism_The_Case_of_Albania_during_the_Enver_Hoxha_Era|Research Gate]])]
 +
 +==== Nodding means no ====
 +When answering a question to an Albanian, you have to remember that shaking your head from side to side, which we understand as "no" for an Albanian, will be an affirmative answer. On the other hand, nodding your head means "no". [([[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/albania/articles/amazing-facts-about-albania/|The Telegraph]])]
 +
 +==== Popular last names ====
 +The counterparts of Smith and Brown among Albanians are the names: Çela, Hoxa, and Kurti. [([[https://forebears.io/albania/surnames|Forebears]])]
 +
 +==== Raki ====
 +As in other Balkan countries, the national alcoholic drink of Albania is the rather strong Rakia. [([[https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-alcoholic-beverages-in-albania|Taste Atlas]])]
 +
 +==== Qofte ====
 +Being in Albania you must try qofte, the national dish of the country. It is nothing more than grilled meatballs served with vegetables. [([[https://foodperestroika.com/2015/09/16/tave-kosi-and-qofte-te-ferguara-albanias-national-dishes/|Food Perestroika]])]
 +
 +==== Rozafa Castle ====
 +Undoubtedly one of the most interesting sights worth visiting is Rozafa Castle near Shkodra. [([[https://www.creativehistorybalkans.com/shkoder-rozafa-fortress/|Creative History Balkans]])]
 +
 +==== Lake Ohrid ====
 +In 1979, Lake Ohrid was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. [([[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/99/|UNESCO]])]
 +
 +==== Village of Lazarat ====
 +The village of Lazarat is the "herbal capital of Albania." The village makes the country the largest exporter of cannabis in Europe. [([[https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Albania/Lazarat-the-capital-of-Albanian-marijuana-141942|Balcanic Caucaso]])]
 +
 +==== Albanian buses ====
 +Albanian buses (called vans) don't have schedules; they leave when they are operational and ready - or full. [([[https://www.nothingfamiliar.com/traveling-albania-by-bus/|Nothing Familiar]])]
 +
 +==== Sazan Island ====
 +Albania, in a bid to attract more tourists to the country, has decided to turn Sazan Island, a Cold War-era military island complete with a bunker designed to withstand a nuclear attack, into an attraction. The base is still technically operational, and sailors remain on the island to provide shelter for the navy patrolling Albanian waters. [([[https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/mysterious-albanian-island-reopening-tourists-summer-180962932/|Smithsonian Mag]])]
 +
 +==== Mother Teresa ====
 +The heroine of Albania is Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. Better known around the world as Mother Teresa. [([[https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1979/teresa/biographical/|Nobel Prize]])]
 +
  
 {{tag>geography travel history culture}} {{tag>geography travel history culture}}
albania.1631540030.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/09/13 08:33 by aga