Architecture of Albania
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The architecture of Albania (
During
.After the
In the 18th and 19th century, Albanian medieval towns underwent urban transformations by various Austro-Hungarian and Italian architects, giving them the appearance of western European cities; this can be particularly seen in Tirana and Korçë. They introduced architectural styles such as Historicism, Art Nouveau, Neo-Renaissance and Neoclassicism.
Following the establishment of
Many socialist-styled complexes, wide roads and factories were constructed, while squares in major towns were redesigned.The
The preservation and protection of cultural and historical heritage sites in Albania is entrusted to the
Overview of Albania
Albania is a
In terms of topography, the country encompasses
The country experiences mostly mediterranean climate with continental influences.[8] That means that the climate is characterised by mild winters and hot, dry summers. The warmest areas of the country are along the west, where climate is profoundly impacted by the Mediterranean Sea. The coldest parts of the country are at the north and east, where snowy forested climate is prevalent.
During the
Periods
Antiquity
The beginnings of architecture in Albania dates back to the middle
During the
Following the
Previously populated by various
The
a direct connection to Rome.Middle Ages
Medieval cities in Albania are classified according to two criteria:
- Cities associated with fortifications, such as Berat and Gjirokastra
- Cities that lie in flat or steep terrains such as Tirana, Kavaja, and Elbasan.
During the
However, some inherited historic structures were damaged by invading
During the medieval period, mosques in Albania fell into two categories: those covered with a dome, and those with a roof covered hall. The latter were immediately adopted following the Ottoman invasion, by transforming the existing churches of Shkodra, Kruje, Berat, Elbasan and Kanina. For instance, the
On the other hand, Christian religious structures inherited many features from their palaeo-Christian predecessors. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, a series of small structures for Christian with simple layouts were built like the
Modern
During the 18th century, the city silhouette in Albania began to include places of worship and the Clock Tower. These, together with other social structures such as thermal baths, fountains, and medrese further enriched the city centre and its neighbourhoods.
In the 17th century, the bazaar emerges as a production and exchange centre, while the city expands beyond the castle, which completely loses its function and inhabitants. During this period, Shkodra and Korca become important commerce and skilled crafts centres.
The first half of the 20th century begins with the
The centre of Tirana was the project of Florestano Di Fausto and Armando Brasini, well known architects of the Benito Mussolini period in Italy. Brasini laid the basis for the modern-day arrangement of the ministerial buildings in the city centre.
The plan underwent revisions by the Albanian architect Eshref Frashëri, the Italian architect Castellani, and the Austrian architects Weiss and Kohler. The rectangular parallel road system of Tirana e Re district took shape, while the northern portion of the main Boulevard was opened. These urban plans formed the basis of future developments in Albania after the
From 1944 to 1991, cities experienced an ordered development with a decline in architectural quality. Massive socialist-styled
The period after the fall of communism is often described negatively in terms of urban development. Kiosks and apartment buildings started to occupy former public areas without planning, while informal districts formed around cities from internal migrants leaving remote rural areas for the western lowland. Decreasing urban space and increased traffic congestion have become major problems as a result of lack of planning. As part of the 2014 Administrative Division Reform, all town centres in Albania are being physically redesigned and façades painted to reflect a more Mediterranean look.[16][17]
Although much has been achieved, critics argue that there is no clear vision on Tirana's future. Some of the pressing issues facing Tirana are loss of public space due to illegal and chaotic construction, unpaved roads in suburban areas, degradation of Tirana's Artificial Lake, rehabilitation of Skanderbeg Square, an ever-present smog, the construction of a central bus station and lack of public parking space. Future plans include the construction of the Multimodal Station of Tirana and the tram line, rehabilitation of the Tiranë River area, construction of a new boulevard along the former Tirana Railway Station and the finishing of the Big Ring Road.
Cities
Berat
Berat, otherwise known as the city of a thousand windows, is a small city in Southern Albania. The architecture of Berat is diverse and enfolds the inheritance of the Illyrians and Ancient Greeks but also of various peoples and empires that have previously ruled the city among others the Byzantines and Ottomans. Nevertheless, the cityscape is notably embossed by the architectural style of the Ottomans and boasts a wealth of structures of exceptional historical and architectural interest. This led the city to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city is separated intro three parts such as the residential quarter within the fortress or known as Kalaja, Mangalem and Gorica. The
Over the centuries it has been subject to numerous conquest by the Byzantines and Ottomans.Kalaja is well-preserved and consists of numerous houses, most of which are built of stone. Numerous churches with extraordinary decorated
Houses within the Mangalem quarter were built along a steep hill towards the Gorica quarter. The facades that faces the valley have characteristically
Gorica was for a long time only connected through the
Korçë
The architecture in Korçë is characterised by mansions and residential buildings, cobbled streets and wide boulevards with many cafés and restaurants. There is an architectural mix, due to the turbulent history, of Art Nouveau, Neoclassicism and Ottoman styles. Italian and French influences increased after the beginning of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In modernising its infrastructure through the centuries, the city has preserved some of its history in its streets and facades.
The city was an important trade and economic centre during the eighteenth century.[19] During the Ottoman rule, the Old Bazaar developed rapidly to become the city's main centre of commerce. Although bazaars were typical Ottoman trading complexes developed in the towns of Albania and elsewhere in the Balkans. The Ottoman architecture is predominant within the bazaar, while recent reconstructions have led to the application of elements specific to modern architecture.
The
The
Sacred architecture
Churches
The
The
The
The Ardenica Monastery was built in 1282 following the victory against the Angevins in the Siege of Berat. It the place where, in 1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg with Andronika Arianiti. The monastery is an impressive representative of Byzantine architecture with many romanesque features.
The history of Albania has not been kind to Early Christian architectural monuments. Scattered throughout the country, there are still structures and remains of churches and monasteries from that period such as the
Prominent
Mosques
By the late fifteenth century, the
The combinations of brick and stone were very frequent in Ottoman architecture, while brick was used mainly for arches, domes and vaults. Further, the most characteristic feature of those mosques is the dominance of a dome, having a semi-circular flat profile, that covered the significant part of the prayer hall within the mosque. The elegance of various Islamic elements is blended in and adapted into buildings and interior designs such as the use of tiling, geometric designs, floral motifs and murals.
In contrast to the long presence of the Ottomans in Albania and Balkans, only few significant mosques from this period have survived, scattered particularly in the center and south of Albania. One of those mosques include the
The Et'hem Bey Mosque in Tirana is an important representative of the Ottoman heritage in the country. The construction of the mosque began in the end of the 18th century and has been completed in the 19th century.[29] Its most noted features are the frescoes within the mosque with depict trees, waterfalls and bridges.
The Bachelors' Mosque is located at the lower part of Mangalem quarter of Berat, which is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As most of other mosques in the city, the Bachelors' Mosque was declared a Cultural Monument of Albania in 1961.[30]
Built by Pasha Mehmed Bushati in 1773, the Lead Mosque of Shkodër is the only building left in the city that was built by the Ottomans.[27] It takes the name because all of its cupolas were covered with lead. The mosque stands in the foothills of Mount Rozafa in a meadow along the Drin. It fell into disuse after a massive flood in 1865, which swept away that part of the city.
In Berat, the Lead Mosque, whose most characteristic feature is the lead dome, is among the best preserved Ottoman buildings in Albania.[27] It was built during the 16th century, when Berat became an important administrative and religious center within the Ottoman Empire.
The
Tekkes
As the
The
Built in 1770, the
Secular architecture
Castles
The scenic
The
The
The
Rozafa Castle is an ancient castle in Shkodër. The castle is associated with a famous legend about a woman who was buried in the foundation of the castle. It stretches on a rocky hill and is trapped on three sides by the rivers of Buna, Kir and Drin. Its current name, Rozafa, appeared for the first time in the early Middle Ages. Later when the Ottomans conquered the Balkans the castle than was turned into a mosque.
The
The
Although other prominent and impressive castles with different architectural styles in Albania include the Durrës Castle, Kaninë Castle, Lezhë Castle, Lëkurësi Castle, Prezë Castle and Fortress of Justinian.
Vernacular architecture
Kullas
According to their spatial and planning composition, Albanian houses are classified and separated into four major groups:[35]
- Houses with vater zjarri, or fireplace/hearth: These type of houses are primarily found in Tirana County and characterized by the house of fire (Shtëpia e Zjarrit), which takes up the height of two floors, with surrounding areas interacting around it.
- Houses with hajat, or porch: A distinguishing feature of this style is the relationship of the house with the backyard and natural environment. Oftentimes, these houses are built on flat grounds, with the ground floor used by inhabitants for agricultural purposes. For example, the Shijaku House in Tiranais surrounded by adobe walls with a large gate entrance, and almost always covered with a simple roof.
- Houses with çardak, a type of balcony found on the top floor reserved for guests or relaxation: They are mostly found in Lezha. The cardak is a dominant element of the building's outer composition being on the main facade of the house, originally designed to be open. The cardak is extensively used by dwellers in the warm season by exploiting the natural sunlight. It also serves as liaison with other areas of the house. These houses are divided into several sub types: houses with cardak on the front area, on one side, or at the center. An example of such structures is Hajdar Sejdini House in Elbasan.
- Urban or civic kulla: They are found in Shkoderused for defensive and warehouse purposes. The interior showed the extent of family's wealth, while the ground floor served as a safe place for cattle in the winter, and to keep water reserves for the dry summer months.
The southern urban or civic Kullas are found in the cities and surroundings of
The first Kullas were built in the 17th century, a time when there was continuous fighting in the Dukagjini region, although most of the ones that still remain are from the 18th or 19th century. They have been almost always built within a complex of buildings with various functions but Kullas in villages exists mostly as standalone structures. They are also positioned within the complex of buildings so that the inhabitants can look out over the surrounding area. Kullas in towns are usually built as standalone structures, while in villages they are more commonly found as a part of a larger ensemble of Kullas and stone houses, usually grouped together for the family clan they belonged to.
Certain Kullas were used as places of isolation and safe havens or "locked towers" (Kulla Ngujimi) intended for the use of persons targeted by
Most of the Kullas are three-story buildings. A characteristic unit of its architectural structure in "Oda e Burrave" (Chamber of Men or Gathering Room of Men), which was usually placed in the second floor of the Kulla, called Divanhane, while the ground floor served as a barn for cattle and the first floor was where the family quarters were located. The material from which the Divanhane is constructed, either wood or stone, is sometimes used to classify Kullas.[40][41]
See also
Further reading
- Ledita Mezini a & Dorina Pojani (2014). "Defence, identity, and urban form: the extreme case of Gjirokastra" (PDF). Planning Perspectives. 30 (3): 397. S2CID 10353235.
- Eleni Gavra, Stella Kasidou & Yannis Konstantinou. "Management of the Architectural Heritageof the Historic Centre of Korça" (PDF). Institutional Framework and Policies, Institute for Balkan Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- Vokshi, Armand, & Nepravishta, Florian. "FLORESTANO DI FAUSTO - THE GENESIS OF NEW ARCHITECTURAL FORMS IN ALBANIA".
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(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Ndreçka, Olisa, & Nepravishta, Florian (September 2014). "The Impact of Socialist Realism in the Albanian Architecture in 1945-1990". Architecture and Urban Planning.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
References
- ^ a b Keida Lulo, Kevin Tummers. "History of Albanian Architecture Model, Various Authors, 1970 - 2.12.ARCHITECTURE and Urban Development" (PDF). seda.org.al. p. 1.[dead link]
- ^ "POLITISCHE ORGANISATIONSFORMEN IM VORRÖMISCHEN SÜDILLYRIEN" (PDF). fondazionecanussio.org (in German). p. 58.
Die Urbanisierung Illyriens begann im späten 5. Jh. mit den Stadtanlagen von Amantia, Klos und Kalivo und nahm im 4. Jh. mit Byllis, Lissos, Zgerdesh und Scodra großen Aufschwung
- ^ "Die Ekklesiale Geographie Albaniens bis zum Ende des 6. Jahrhunderts –Beiträge der Christlichen Archäologie auf dem Territorium der Heutigen Republik Albanien". kulturserver-hamburg.de (in German).
Die Bischofsstädte und ihre Einflussbereiche
- ^ Karin Myhrberg - University of Gothenburg. "Heritage from the Communist Period in Albania - An Unwanted Heritage Today?" (PDF). gupea.ub.gu.se. Gothenburg. p. 12.
- .
- ^ UNESCO. "Albania - Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List". whc.unesco.org. p. 1.
- Institute of Monuments of Albania. "Rreth Nesh". imk.gov.al (in Albanian). p. 9. Archived from the originalon 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
- ^ Ministry of Environment of Albania. "Albania's Second National Communication to the Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" (PDF). unfccc.int. Tirana. p. 28.
- ^ United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization. "Archaeology and art of Albania, Ecuador, China, Bulgaria"(PDF). unesdoc.unesco.org. pp. 4–6.
- ISBN 1780760698, p263
- ^ UNESCO. "Butrint". whc.unesco.org.
- ISBN 9780953555680.
- ISBN 9781842174623.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ISBN 9781841628554.
- ISBN 9780801492457.
- ^ "Ndarja e re, mbeten 28 bashki, shkrihen komunat | Shekulli Online". Shekulli.com.al. 2014-01-10. Archived from the original on 2014-01-13. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- ^ "Reforma Territoriale - KRYESORE". Reformaterritoriale.al. Archived from the original on 2017-05-14. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
- ^ a b UNESCO. "Brief description of Berat" (PDF). unesco.org. Berat.
- ISBN 9290633301.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ^ BERNHARD TONNES. "Religious Persecution in Albania" (PDF). biblicalstudies.org.uk.
- ^ "ALBANIA" (PDF). religion-freedom-report.org.uk. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-08-08. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
- ^ "The Butrint Baptistery Mosaics". mediterraneanworld.typepad.com.
- ISBN 9781841623870.
butrint baptistery.
- ISBN 9780953555659.
- ^ Walker, Emily (7 March 2012). "OCMC News - Opening of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Albania". ocmc.org.
- ^ Eric H. Boehm (1994). Historical Abstracts: Modern history abstracts, 1450-1914. American Bibliographical Center-Clio Press, 1994. p. 307.
- ^ a b c d Edmond Manahasa, İlknur Aktug Kolay. "Observations on the existing Ottoman mosques in Albania" (PDF). az.itu.edu.tr. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
- ISBN 9290633301.)
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ISBN 3701624615.
- ^ "Religious buildings with the "Culture Monument" status". Republic of Albania National Committee for Cult. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ISBN 9783631602959
- ^ a b UNESCO. "Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra". whc.unesco.org.
- ISBN 9994381563.
- ^ UNESCO. "The Castle of Bashtova". whc.unesco.org.
- ^ "Arkitektura e shtepive tradicionale Shqiptare | ACP".
- ^ Stubbs-Makaš 2011, p. 392
- ^ Epirus, 4000 years of Greek history and civilization. p. 334
- ^ Internationale Tourismusattraktionen in Mittel- und Südosteuropa. Österreichisches Ost- und Südosteuropa-Institut, 1999, p. 2.
- ISBN 978-1-74104-729-5. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
- ^ Limani, Jeta. "Kulla of Mazrekaj family in Dranoc" (PDF).
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ISBN 9789951878609.