Skanderbeg Square

For other uses, see Skanderbeg (disambiguation).

Skanderbeg Square
Public square
Sheshi Skënderbej
Tirana Symbols on Skanderbeg Square
Construction:	1968 (naming)
Area:	40.000 m²
Location:	Tirana, Albania
Coordinates:

Skanderbeg Square (Albanian: Sheshi Skënderbej) is the main plaza of Tirana, Albania named in 1968 after the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. A Skanderbeg Monument can be found in the plaza.

History

File:New Skanderbeg Square 2012.jpg

After reconstruction in 2012

File:Skenderbej olace.jpg

Skenderbeg Square

At the time of the Albanian monarchy, the square was composed of a number of buildings that would eventually be detonated during the communist period. The square was composed of a roundabout with a fountain in the middle. Tirana's Old Bazaar used to be established on the grounds of modern-day Palace of Culture, the Orthodox Cathedral at present-day Tirana International Hotel, while the former Municipal building on the grounds of where the National History Museum is located nowadays. A statue of Joseph Stalin was erected where today Skanderbeg's statue is located. Besides the construction of the above new elements during communism, the statue of Albania's leader Enver Hoxha was erected at the space between the National History Museum and the Bank of Albania. Following the fall of communism in 1991, the statue would be removed amid student-led demonstrations.

2010 square reconstruction

File:Skanderbeg Monument map.png

Skanderbeg Square

Former Tirana mayor Edi Rama embarked on a plan to modernize and Europeanize the square. In March 2010, works began to transform the square into a pedestrians and public transport only area. A new fountain would use rain water as its water supply, while a two-meter high pyramid would be built and leveled with a 2.5% slope throughout the square. During the construction period, detour roads have been put in place to gradually establish the new and permanent road in the ring road around the square. The entire project is funded by a grant from the State of Kuwait.

New plan

Scanderbeg Square view at night

In September 2011, the earlier plan was scrapped and a new one introduced by the new mayor, Lulzim Basha. The use of the square by all motor vehicles will be restored through the construction of a narrower road segment around the center of the square including bicycle lanes. The existing green field south of Skanderbeg's statue was extended northward for a few hundred meters, while trees were planted in most places.

Notable buildings

• Tirana International Hotel
• Palace of Culture of Tirana
• National Historical Museum

External links

• Skanderbeg Square Project by 51N4E