FLASH
Shkruar nga Mauro Garofalo
Changing Albania: a country in motion, between wild nature and urban explosion
Albania is a country in constant ferment, developing at a rapid pace. Tirana, its capital, is a young, vibrant city, an open urban construction site where multi-story buildings are being built every month on every corner. It is the new apartments that are preparing for a major wave of internal migration that is expected to occur in the coming years: the abandonment of villages and mountainous areas in favor of cities and plains.
The urban area of Tirana stretches along a long axis, and between the palaces, on clear days, the Adriatic can even be distinguished. Here we are on the other side of Italy, at the Cape of Otranto, a meeting point between the Mediterranean and great history, in territories where numerous battles have been fought, some very recent. Albania is a country yet to be discovered, where the depths of Ancient Greece meet with the oriental flavor inherited from the Ottoman Empire.
On national roads, traffic moves slowly. Long queues in metropolitan Tirana, a city that, if we count the surrounding areas, has over a million inhabitants, in a country with a total population of around 2.5 million.
The mild climate, good food and hospitality create an ideal mix for the country's social and economic growth. The euro is not yet present, prices are affordable for those coming from abroad and visitors feel welcome. Many Italians now choose Albania for their holidays, a major reversal compared to the past. However, there is still much to be done: fields full of plastic, especially in the urban suburbs, show that the mentality towards protecting nature has not yet changed. But this is a process that will come, if not soon, then surely it will come.
If you want to get away from the city and experience a more wild and authentic experience, one of the most important natural attractions is the Vjosa River - the last wild river in Europe, declared a National Park in 2023, thanks to a collaboration between the Albanian government, the EcoAlbania organization and the well-known clothing brand "Patagonia", which developed an international campaign precisely for its protection.
This route offers many attractions, although some ecological standards remain to be improved. In Këlcyrë are the Vjosa waterfalls, where the blue-water river merges with rocks and greenery, a metal bridge and a small hut complete the landscape; there you can take beautiful walks in the surrounding hills.
In the Vjosa-Narta area, don’t miss the Protected Area of the same name. Wooden walkways (although slightly damaged) cross the sand dunes and marshes of the coastal lagoon, an ideal refuge for migratory birds that take to the air in the evening. The restored Byzantine monastery also deserves a separate stop – a dive into ancient history with a guaranteed emotional effect.
For nature and adventure enthusiasts, rafting is recommended in the segment between Petran and Rapka (near Tepelena).
One of the most beautiful views is offered by Pylli, an archaeological park on a hill, where traces of the Illyrian, then Greek and finally Roman civilizations are found, a clear stratification of history. An observation point is located below the city of Përmet, where the valley opens up for kilometers and the green mingles with the blue of the wild river.
Along the way you will come across many small local restaurants (renting a car is advisable); don't be fooled by the not always modern exterior, usually, they hide wonderful flavors and authentic food.
Here are some foods you should definitely try while traveling (for vegetarians and non-vegetarians):
Fli – a traditional dish from Northern Albania, with crepe-like layers spread with whipped cream and served with yogurt and butter.
Kaçkavall cheese – made with cow or sheep's milk.
Sour cream sauce – a yogurt-based sauce that is not missing from any Albanian table.
Pie – prepared with thin dough (yufka) and various fillings: spinach and cheese, minced meat, leeks or potatoes.
Roasted lamb with potatoes – a "must" for those who are not vegetarians.
Chicken pilaf – soft rice with chicken in sauce.
Chicken soup – a variation on traditional fettuccine.
/Adapted from "La Stampa"
Lini një Përgjigje