Bunk'Art 2

Tirana, is the vibrant capital of Albania, where we jump on a walking tour of the center, unveiling the charm of Scanderbeg Square, ministerial buildings, and a visit to Bunkart 2—a museum nestled within a bunker.

Skanderbeg Square

The Skanderbeg Square (Albanian: Sheshi Skënderbej) is the main plaza in the centre of Tirana, Albania. The square is named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. The total area is about 40,000 square metres. The Skanderbeg Monument dominates the square.

Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is the Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana. It is the third-largest Orthodox church in Europe. The original building was built in 1865 on the present Scanderbeg Square and was closed for worship in 1967, during the communist period. During these years, the old cathedral was completely destroyed by the communist regime and the Hotel International Tirana was built in its place. In 2012, after about ten years of work, the new cathedral was completed.

Xhamia Et'hem Bej

The construction of this mosque began during the late 18th century by Molla Bey and was completed by his son Haxhi Ethem Bey in 1821.

Saint Paul Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral is the Catholic Cathedral of Tirana. Built between 1994 and 2002, the cathedral is dedicated to the apostle St. Paul, who is said to have founded the Christian community of Durrës. St. Paul's Cathedral replaces the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Tirana as the seat of the archdiocese. The land of the cathedral was donated by the Albanian state to the Catholic Church during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Albania in 1993. When the new archdiocese was established in 1992, the cathedral was transferred from Durrës to Tirana.

The Pyramid of Tirana is a structure and former museum located in Tirana, the capital of Albania. It opened as a museum in 1988 and became a conference center in 1991 following the collapse of Communism. In 2018, a new project was unveiled that would turn the pyramid into a youth IT center for Creative Technologies with a focus on computer programming, robotics, and start ups under the name of TUMO Center Tirana. The renovated structure, transformed by MVRDV, was opened to the public in May 2023. On 14 October 1988, the structure opened as the Enver Hoxha Museum, originally serving as a museum about the legacy of Enver Hoxha, the long-time leader of Communist Albania, who had died three years earlier. The structure was designed by Hoxha's daughter Pranvera Hoxha, an architect. The Pyramid has sometimes been called the "Enver Hoxha Mausoleum", although this was never intended to be named like this or even used as official appellation.

Deshmoret E Kombit Boulevard

The Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard (English: Boulevard of the Martyrs of the Nation) is a major thoroughfare in Tirana, Albania. It was initially designed by Armando Brasini in 1925. Brasini's master plan was later amended by Florestano di Fausto, and in 1939 by Gherardo Bosio following the Italian invasion of Albania Many buildings are located along this boulevard, including the Presidential Palace, the Prime Minister's Office, the Palace of Congress, the Rogner Hotel and the University of Tirana. The boulevard enters the city centre from the south and intersects with Bajram Curri Boulevard near the Rinia Park. It then becomes part of Skanderbeg Square and continues north of the centre to Zogu I Boulevard.

Berat Castle

After breakfast, we head to the Berat Castle, a magnificent fortress that dates back to the 13th century, with its origins tracing all the way back to the 4th century BC. We will have a morning coffe on the castle, with a wonderful view over the city. And then we will have a trip through caracteristic houses. We will make some beautiful pictures on “Panorama”, over the caracteristic neighborhood of Mangalem.

National Iconographic Museum Onufri

Next up is the Onufri Museum, located within the castle. Inside the iconic church of the dormition of St Mary, which was built in 1797 atop an earlier chapel from the 10th century, you'll find the Onufri Museum. This museum showcases the spectacular 16th-century religious paintings by Onufri, displayed alongside the church's gilded 19th-century iconostasis. Don't forget to explore the chapel behind the iconostasis and admire the faded frescoes on its painted cupola.

Mangalem is the caracteristic neighborhood, that gives to Berat the name of 1000 windows, and which is an UNESCO patrimony site.

Gjirokaster Castle

After breakfast, we begin our journey to the charming town of Gjirokastra, a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique stone architecture. Within the towering walls of its hilltop fortress, we'll explore the Castle. On the castle, we will visit an exposition of different canons and arms of World War II. Then we will visit the british plane, and the stage of “Gjirokastra Festival”

Gjirokastra Bazaar

Stroll through the Stroll through the narrow, winding streets of the city, where every step echoes the tales of bygone eras.

Ethnographic Museum

We'll also visit the Ethnographic Museum housed in the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, Albania's communist-era dictator.

Butrint National Park

Our journey' continues towards Butrint, founded over two millennia ago, this UNESCO World Heritage Site gracefully straddles eras - from its earliest Greek settlements to later Roman domination. Marble pillars and mosaic floors silently narrate Butrint's storied past amid a lush natural oasis.

Porto Palermo

Next, the journey continues with a captivating visit to Porto Palermo, home to the formidable Ali Pasha Fortress. It features well-preserved walls, cannons, and surrounded by turquoise coastal waters.

Llogara National Park

After lunch, continue on a scenic drive through the picturesque Llogara pass, where terraced citrus groves and olive trees create a patchwork of greenery against breathtaking mountain and sea backdrops.

Vlore

Continuing your adventure, you will reach Vlora, a coastal city founded in the 6th century BC, known as the "City of the Flag." This significant town holds a special place in Albania's history, as it was here that the nation declared its independence on November 28, 1912. Enjoy n overnight stay in the charm of this beautiful coastal town.

Apollonia Archaeological Park

After depart from Vlora, enroute stop at Apollonia, once a thriving center in ancient Illyria. Explore the renowned Via Egnatia and discover the rich Roman heritage, where even Emperor Augustus Octavian once studied. Admire the remnants of temples, a grand theater, and the renowned Bouleuterion. Continue the exploration at the onsite museum, where the city's narrative unfolds, offering insights into its history and showcasing the artifacts unearthed during meticulous excavations.

Ardenice

After Lunch, we will make a visit to Ardenica Monastery. This is a 13th Century, (according to the legends), was builted over a Artemise’s Temple. Ardenica is a derivate of Artemis noun.