Shkoder Things to Do

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Run by the order of monks who are happy to give you a tour, currently (June '06) undergoing extensive repairs outside.
During the communist regeime it was used as a cinema and now is a quiet retreat in the hustle of modern Shkodra.
For me, most interesting are the paintings by local artists of worship during the time religion was banned and of the fall of the communists.
Good place to visit.

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A first for me, never set foot inside one before, and learnt enough about this mysterious religion to make it a worthwhile visit. Shoes off before you enter and women must not wear shorts or have uncovered arms.
Religion was officially banned during the communist rule but, still carried on underground,
Albanians are proud of their ability to coexist with all faiths., not far from here are Christian churches.

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Our trip included a visit here. A collection of discoveries from the surrounding area. Mostly pottery and weapons but an interesting collection of ancient coins which looked similar in design to current UK coinage.
Worth a visit and the guide is very enthusiastic about the collection.

Enver Hoxha Albanian leader through communist years appears to have been very keen on erecting these soviet style monuments around the place. Pity he hadn't spent the money on more pressing requirement like making Shkoder look less like an African township. However since he was a Tosk from Southern Albania his disregard for this Northern city was probably intentional.

Enver Hoxha Albanian leader through communist years appears to have been very keen on erecting these soviet style monuments arount the place. Pity he hadn't spent the money on more pressing requirement like making Shkoder look less like an African township. However since he was a Tosk from Southern Albania his disregard for the Northern city was probably intentional.

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The photos of the monument for the five heroes were taken in 1988. On our 2005 visit, we have not seen it but we spent a limited time in Shkodër and have not seen everything. I have seen on recent (2002) pictures that it was still there and Edvin (VT Njonjo) confirmed it. He wrote that the five Heroes were partisans of the WWII and were surrounded and killed in the mountains around Shkodra by other Albanian anticommunist local groups. Thank you Edvin!

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In the first yard stands the ruins of a church, Saint Stephen, built in the 13th century. It was once Shkodër''s cathedral, later turned into a mosque. It is now roofless but is a strange building as it has on each sides wide arched openings, which is very unusual for a church. I will try to know more about it.

The tower (second photo) was built with alternate layers of stone and of brick, in the Byzantine way. On the right, the two circular structures are wells that are connected to a cistern fed by the water collected in the three yards of the castle.

There is a project to rebuild the cathedral soon.

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The first photo shows the second entrance gate, from the inside.

The second photo shows the first yard of Rozafa castle and the path that leads to the inner yards.

The third photo shows the view on Shkodër that appears behind the castle wall. For a better view, you have to climb the staircase on the right. Caution, no railing !