Shkoder Favorites

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Favorite thing: One of the most attractive parts of Shkoder for a stroll is the Gjuhadol district. It is situated somewhere between the Ebu-Bekr Mosque and the Catholic Cathedral.

In this area many elegant turn of the 20th century buildings can be found; even though many of these are in decay.

The pedestrianised street Rrruga 13 Dhjetori, which nowadays seem to be renamed to Rruga Kole Idromeno, is one of the best renovated streets in this part of the city.

It is lined with many cafes and restaurants, whose outdoor terraces invite for a break.

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Favorite thing: In most guidebooks the large square in the very heart of Shkoder's city centre is still named Sheshi 5 Heronjte (5 Heroes Square) after a statue which stood here until 2008.

The communist style statue represented 5 heroes who died during their fights for the Communist Party. In 2009 this statue has been demolished to show that the admiration of communist heroes doesn't make sense on Albania's way to democracy.

In 2009 the statue has been replaced by a new statue consisting of several metal pillars of various lengths. The statue is surrounded by a fountain and some benches.

In addition the square Sheshi 5 Heronjte has been renamed to Sheshi Demokracia.

Favorite thing: i was affortunatelly one more time when i was crossing the border.. the taxi driver just went to the border and once there i thought that there was any cab in the other side as i saw from Makedonia to Albania.. but it werent the case.. actually no cab was waiting in the other side.. after i stamped my passport a man called me (in english) and asked me if i need to be carried to Ulcinj (the first town in Montenegro) i accept and actually i tried to offer some money for the service but they didnt accept.. so it was a great impression from them .. because in some parts of eastern money is the best quality of people.. they dont move a finger for less than an euro ... so i accepted and thanks god because it was 20 km long that road to get Ulcinj

Favorite thing: i took this picture looking at those people who was doing something weird on the bank river.. there are so much people as i could see in Albania who live with the essential and dont know anything called lush and wealthy .. its so sad because there isnt one or two cases.. everywhere you go if you are sensible to those things you can experiment that sad feeling . maybe is the place where i felt stongly in whole eastern Europe

Favorite thing: this tiny bridge over the river that runs from the huge lake closer to the city and runs to the sea serving as a border with Montenegro several kilometers westwards...
the bridge is quite insecure, its built by wooden boards as a floor and iron laterals as strenghtening...before cross the bridge you can see very well the ancient and tall fortress visible afar.
The bridge is the way to getting out from the city to the neighbour country border

Favorite thing: Streets are very crowded at rush hours and traffic jams overwhelmed the foreigner... its visible a lot of difference among the way of life in Shkodra and their neighbours 30 kms away in Ulcinj, Montenegro.. everything looks poorer and bleak mostly cars have the glass window broken.. no much money to replace it and elder mercedes used as a taxi .. and bargain is the best way or the sole way to manage good fares for services

Favorite thing: The city is also cahotic as i experienced in Tirana.. the last bus stop was in a circular square that i cant mention like a formal bus station... it doesnt exist !!
The way to move to the montenegro border is take a cab.. in this place and try to manage the best price to get there .. baragin is the way.. i dont remember how much it cost actually
in front of this bus station there was a coffe bar so clean and quite nice to stop for a while before the hard task to get a taxi ...
i pass by the bus along the city and i didnt see nothing exceptional worth to see it... maybe the rivers that cross the city

Favorite thing: An illyrian fortress rules the city , illyrian were an ancient culture that match on time with Roman empire and greek some centuries before... they dwelt in the actual Croatia, Montengro and albanian adriatic coast
Rozafa fortress was rebuilt some centuries by venetians and turkish that ruled this area in several periods

Fondest memory: My experience is short in time in that place.. i just saw that should be nice to go up as i did in Kotor this same afternoon and behold such brautiful landscapes !! i just pass by for an hour by there