Albania Intro #2

In the northern Albania, Shkodra is an ancient capital of Illyrian nation from the 3rd century BC through Roman conquest in 168 BC.  The most of what remains now is from Venetian and Ottoman times; the Shkodra Castle is overseeing the town.   

Just outside of Tirana, the capital of Albania, you can visit Kruje, a small village which was the center of Albanian resistance led by Albanian hero, Skanderbeg to the Ottoman invasion.  This is the renovated castle/fortress.

Durres is a thriving port in Albania, with a frequent ferry service from an Italian city,  and it is a popular summer resort spot on the Adriatic coastline.

With improved infrastructure, there comes demand for cars in Tirana, Albania

Albania is attracting more tourists every day due to their favorable exchange rate and the abundance of interesting sights.

Albania Intro

Not many travelers visit Albania; however, it is getting very popular among Europeans.  Albania became independent from the Ottoman Turkish Empire in the early 20th century.  After the WWII,  it was freed from the Italian and German occupation and became a communist nation.  Finally in 1990 it adopted the market economy and became a democratic nation.

The flag for Albania: double eagles

One of the new investment firms:  Coca Cola

In the past, Albania was invaded by numerous nations such as the Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians, Servians, Ottoman Turks, etc.; therefore,  60 some ruins of castles and fortresses can be found today.  Here is one of the forts in Berati known as a UNESCO Heritage site.

On the hill in Berati, an Orthodox Christian Church is perched on the cliff.