We leave Albania today wishing that we could wash all our clothes and continue for another three weeks. There are so many things we haven’t shown you, but we thought these final few pictures – all taken yesterday – were so interesting we couldn’t leave them out.
First, we finally found the only Jewish museum in the whole of Albania waiting for us in our penultimate stop, Berat. It was run by a charming woman (the wife of the person who established it) who explained everything to us in Albanian. Nicky – note the name! The one (very hot) room was full of memorabilia and we were taken round it board by board. I was allowed to take one or two photos:
We also visited some beautiful old mosques in Berat:
And yesterday, we spent some long time in the backstreets of Tirana looking for the World Bektashi Headquarters which we found, eventually, somewhere in a decrepit housing estate, hiding away. Bektashism came to Albania brought by dervishes or babas (fathers) and is now Albania’s fourth religion. The Bektashi order was expelled from Turkey in 1925 and its leadership moved to Albania. Unfortunately, the property – given to the Bektashi by King Zog – was confiscated during the Communist era and turned into an old people’s home. It was re-opened in 1991 (and Mother Theresa attended of couse!). The tombs of the babas are still housed in the tekes there.
A great prayer-hall – the Odeon – was built in 2015 which we wanted to see, but it was closed, Instead, we were given two candles to burn and were able to visit from the outside.
And that’s it from us! Thanks for all your comments and for following us on this terrific journey. Come to Albania soon – it’s a wonderful place to visit!
A beautiful ending to what was clearly a great holiday!
It was a real adventure – we’re both sad not to be setting off for another Albanian jaunt this morning.
What an amazing journey. Following your adventures has been most enjoyable and the photos have really brought your travels to life. Thanks
I’m so glad you enjoyed the stories and pictures – Albania was a complete surprise in so many ways and very beautiful.
So many stories! I will see you in just a few weeks so I am looking forward to being immersed in stories and photos.
Thank you for taking us with you. Xx
And of course we thought of you as we came across the little Jewish museum in Berat. See you very soon.
Sounds like you had a great time – safe journey home! Btw is ‘solomoni’ the Albanian word for jewish? How fantastic!
What a great thought but sadly no ( not that I could tell you what Albanian is for Jewish – I don’t even know the word for hello – impenetrable language).
Safe journey home. See you soon
And now safely home. See you soon I hope.
Your Bektashi story, like so much of the early Byzantine and Ottoman art and architecture you’ve taken us through, are humbling as well as beautiful – so much rich history that I’ve no frames to truly understand. Thank you both for being such responsive and amusing tour guides! Safe home.
Thanks, Tara. The interweaving of different religions, the tensions between them, the atheist campaigns of the 60s and 70s – it is an extraordinary narrative.
A wonderful journey and absolutely superb account. Thank you SO much. Longing to hear more in person. Kate (and Alan) xxxxA wonderful journey and absolutely superb account. Thank you SO much. Longing to hear more in person. Kate (and Alan) xxxx
Thank you, Kate – let’s find a date soon – so many stories to tell.
Hi Miriam and Sue
Loved your travelogue and accompanying photos. Never thought I would be adding Albania to my must see trips – but thanks to you both, it’s there now. Very enjoyable and educational read.
Welcome home. Hope to see you soon.
Pip
Sent from my iPhone Pip O’Byrne
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