Albania and North Macedonia
Nearby to Bunk'Art 1, we took a cable car ride to Mount Dajti National Park. The ascent provided expansive views of Tirana, and once at the top there are peaceful forest walks. We ended the day with a visit to the Et’hem Bey Mosque, an architectural gem that stands in the city centre. Albania, being secular, has a rather rich religious heritage.
The next day, we embarked on a day trip northbound to Shkodra, one of Albania's oldest and most historically significant cities. On the way, a stop in Lezha to visit the Memorial Museum of Skanderbeg, dedicated to Albania's national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti, famous for leading battles against the Ottoman empire in the 15th century. Founded in the 4th century BC, Shkodra is the centre of catholicism in Albania and is rich in cultural landmarks. Visited the Rozafa Fortress, perched on a hilltop above the city with stunning panoramic views over Montenegro.
One of the highlights of the tour was the charming town of Berat, known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. The town, often called the "City of a Thousand Windows," is a UNESCO world heritage site. Wandering through its narrow cobbled streets, full of white-washed houses and ancient churches was very pleasant. We also explored Berat Castle, a sprawling fortress above the town, again offering magnificent views of the old and new towns below. A stop at their local Cobo Winery on the way back to Tirana was rather splendid too....superb red wine!
Tirana, being a compact city, proved easy to navigate on foot...plenty to see here as well as the Bunk'Art galleries; Orthodox cathedral, St Paul's cathedral, Albania national football stadium, Pyramid of Tirana, Skanderbeg square, Tirana park, Tirana castle etc. As an aside, the largest mosque in the Balkans, the Namazgah Mosque is still being built but looks very impressive indeed...
From Tirana, the tour then took us through the scenic mountains into North Macedonia, to Ohrid, a town on the shores of Lake Ohrid, the deepest lake in Europe. Ohrid is renowned for its rich religious history and stunning natural beauty. The first day in Ohrid was spent visiting its Hellenistic amphitheatre and many churches; Church of St. Sophia, Saints Clement and Panteleimon, Holy Mary Peryvleptos and the famous picturesque Church of St. John at Kaneo. Each church, with its unique architecture and historical significance, declares the spiritual heritage of the region. The Icon Gallery in St Clement, with its collection of Byzantine icons, was particularly impressive.
Next day we travelled to Skopje, North Macedonia's capital. The city, which was devastated by an earthquake in 1963, has been meticulously rebuilt. Beautiful and grand statues adorn the city, the most spectacular being the Warrior on Horseback (….Alexander the Great) in the central Macedonia Square at 22 meters height. Skopje's mix of old and new is intriguing, including the Old Skopje Bazaar, with its vibrant markets and historic buildings. Visited the Mustafa Paša mosque and the nearby Church of the Ascension of Jesus too...both are beautiful in their own ways.
Another highlight was a scenic boat ride along the forest-edged shores of Lake Ohrid to the Byzantine monastery of St Naum in the south. The waters of the lake reflecting the surrounding hills along the way. The monastery itself, with its tranquil gardens and historic frescoes, is a peaceful retreat. A couple of restaurants nearby are rather good too, offering lovely views of the lake or of the backwaters on the opposite side.
The final day in North Macedonia was spent exploring the Mavrovo Lake district, a region known for its forested hills and peaks. We visited the monasteries of St Jovan Bigorski and St Georgi Pobedonosec, both set against stunning natural backdrops. It is worth noting that 85% of North Macedonia is mountainous, and full of lush greenery....and rather beautiful.
Traveling through Albania and North Macedonia was a great experience. Both countries proved to be very friendly, great value and both of the capital cities are worth a citybreak in their own right. After only a brief visit, we intend to return to Skopje.
