Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
Encyclopedia
The Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake or the Big Park of Tirana , or even the Park of Saint Procopius , is a 230-hectare public park
situated on the southern part of Tirana
, Albania
. It includes an artificial lake and many other landmarks such as the Saint Procopius Church
, the Presidential Palace of Tirana
, and memorials to well known Albanian personalities.
Tirana's artificial lake and park remains one of the most relaxing places of the capital. Despite increasing buildings being developed near (and sometimes in) the park, an early-morning run or promenade is a daily routines for many Tirana citizens.
To the southern end of the park there is the city zoo and the botanical garden. The latter includes many flowers and plants that are common the Albanian environment.
, after the University of Tirana
main building, south of the main Skanderbeg Square
centre.
The park was formerly called Park of Saint Procopius , from the Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
, that is located there. In the internal parts of the park can be found the memorials of 45 British
soldiers fallen during World War II
.
The park includes the Presidential Palace of Tirana
, which stays on the side and close to the Elbasan Street
. The palace, whose building was started by Zog of Albania
, is now a government residence, and has served as a Royal Palace only once, for the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III during his only visit to Albania in May 1941 as King of Albania
. The palace had also served vicegerent Francesco Jacomoni
and later the Fascist general Alberto Pariani
.
The park was home of the Memorial to the mother of King Zog of Albania, Sadijé Toptani
. The monument was destroyed by the Communist Regime in the 1950s and can now be enjoyed only in pictures.
and Tirana Zoo
and also a complex of swimming pools. The park has an amphitheatre
where various cultural activities occur especially in summer months.
The artificial lake is a well known fishing and also swimming area. The lake was built from local waters in 1955 on volunteer work to build a 400 m long dam that holds the waters from overflowing onto Tirana.
The park also notably includes the tombs of the Frashëri brothers: Abdyl Frashëri
, diplomat, politician, writer, and a distinguished leader of the National Renaissance of Albania through the League of Prizren
, Naim Frashëri
(national poet), and Sami Frashëri writer, philosopher, and playwright. Also, in 1998 the remains of Faik Konica
, former Albanian minister to Washington
, and publisher of the Albania
magazine were brought from the United States and put in a tomb located at the park.
In the park there are 120 species of trees, bushes and flowers. The Botanical Gardens' area is of 14.5 hecatares and the lake's size is of 55 hectares, whereas the area of the park itself is of 230 hectares.
In 2008 a lakeside competition was held to come up with the best urban and ecologic masterplan for the future of the district,
to create a new dense urban neighborhood with a park and public facilities at the shore of Tirana Lake. The masterplan consists of 225,000m2 of housing, 60,000m2 offices, 20,000m2 public buildings, 60,000m2 retail, 15,000m2 of hotels and 20,000m2 sport and recreational facilities and a car park. The redesign is scheduled to take place in 2010 with a total estimated investment of 600 million Euro.
The major constructions will reduce the size of the green area of the park, which has led to much controversy on the Albanian media as to the actual benefits to the citizens of Tirana.
The Botanical Gardens are set to be destroyed to build the new Tirana ring motorway
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
situated on the southern part of Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. It includes an artificial lake and many other landmarks such as the Saint Procopius Church
Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
Saint Procopius Church of Tirana is an orthodox church on the outskirts of Tirana, Albania. It was one of two orthodox churches which existed in the city before World War II, the other one being the 19th century Church of Shën Vangjelizmoi, which was demolished in 1967....
, the Presidential Palace of Tirana
Presidential Palace of Tirana
The Presidential Palace of Tirana is a government residence in Tirana, Albania used by the Albanan government. It is located on the side of the Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake. Construction began by Ahmet Zogu as a Royal Palace in 1939, but the building was not finished until 1941, by which...
, and memorials to well known Albanian personalities.
Tirana's artificial lake and park remains one of the most relaxing places of the capital. Despite increasing buildings being developed near (and sometimes in) the park, an early-morning run or promenade is a daily routines for many Tirana citizens.
To the southern end of the park there is the city zoo and the botanical garden. The latter includes many flowers and plants that are common the Albanian environment.
History and setting
The park was built in the 1950s on what used to be called the Gogo stable, in a green area. The park starts at the southern end of the Dëshmorët e Kombit BoulevardDëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard
Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard is a major boulevard of Tirana, Albania, built by Italian architects. Formerly, it was called Bulevardi Mussolini. In 1934-35, a bridge was built over the boulevard by Gjovalin Gjadri....
, after the University of Tirana
University of Tirana
The University of Tirana is a public university located in Tirana, Albania.-History:UT was founded in 1957 as the State University of Tirana through the merging of five existing institutes of higher education, the most important of which was the Institute of Sciences, founded in 1947...
main building, south of the main Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square is a 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:...
centre.
The park was formerly called Park of Saint Procopius , from the Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
Saint Procopius Church of Tirana is an orthodox church on the outskirts of Tirana, Albania. It was one of two orthodox churches which existed in the city before World War II, the other one being the 19th century Church of Shën Vangjelizmoi, which was demolished in 1967....
, that is located there. In the internal parts of the park can be found the memorials of 45 British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soldiers fallen during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The park includes the Presidential Palace of Tirana
Presidential Palace of Tirana
The Presidential Palace of Tirana is a government residence in Tirana, Albania used by the Albanan government. It is located on the side of the Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake. Construction began by Ahmet Zogu as a Royal Palace in 1939, but the building was not finished until 1941, by which...
, which stays on the side and close to the Elbasan Street
Elbasan Street
Elbasan Street is a major street of Tirana, Albania. It is the most important street of southern Tirana leading to national road SH3 and European Route E852. It eventually leads to Elbasan. The US Embassy in Tirana is located on Elbasan Street....
. The palace, whose building was started by Zog of Albania
Zog of Albania
Zog I, Skanderbeg III of the Albanians , born Ahmet Muhtar Bey Zogolli, was King of the Albanians from 1928 to 1939. He was previously Prime Minister of Albania and President of Albania .-Background and early political career:...
, is now a government residence, and has served as a Royal Palace only once, for the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III during his only visit to Albania in May 1941 as King of Albania
Albania under Italy
The Albanian Kingdom existed as a protectorate of the Kingdom of Italy. It was practically a union between Italy and Albania, officially led by Italy's King Victor Emmanuel III and its government: Albania was led by Italian governors, after being militarily occupied by Italy, from 1939 until 1943...
. The palace had also served vicegerent Francesco Jacomoni
Francesco Jacomoni
Francesco Jacomoni di San Savino was an Italian diplomat and governor of Albania before and during World War II.He was born in Reggio di Calabria on 31 August 1893 to a banker's family. In 1914 he enlisted in the army for his national service. Named Lieutenant of Fortress Artillery in June 1915,...
and later the Fascist general Alberto Pariani
Alberto Pariani
Alberto Pariani was an Italian general.He fought during World War I, and ended the war as a commander of the 6th Alpini Regiment. From 1925 to 1926 he was Operations Chief of the Army General Staff...
.
The park was home of the Memorial to the mother of King Zog of Albania, Sadijé Toptani
Sadijé Toptani
Sadiya Toptani Khanum as the daughter of Salah Bey Toptani and as sister to Essad Pasha and a member of the powerful Toptani family...
. The monument was destroyed by the Communist Regime in the 1950s and can now be enjoyed only in pictures.
Contents
The park is otherwise called the lung of the city because of the diversity of plants. The park also includes Botanical Gardens of TiranaBotanical Gardens of Tirana
The Botanical Gardens of Tirana are scenic botanical gardens located in southern Tirana, Albania.Construction commenced in 1964, with the original site covering approximately 15 hectares. It was completed in 1971...
and Tirana Zoo
Tirana Zoo
Tirana Zoo is a zoo in Tirana, Albania. It was established in 1966. On 14 April, 2006, a meeting of Albanians and Dutch took place in the Netherlands to create an action plan for the zoo for next two years....
and also a complex of swimming pools. The park has an amphitheatre
Amphitheatre
An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...
where various cultural activities occur especially in summer months.
The artificial lake is a well known fishing and also swimming area. The lake was built from local waters in 1955 on volunteer work to build a 400 m long dam that holds the waters from overflowing onto Tirana.
The park also notably includes the tombs of the Frashëri brothers: Abdyl Frashëri
Abdyl Frashëri
Abdyl Frashëri People's Hero of Albania was an Albanian diplomat, politician, writer, and a first political ideologue of the Albanian National Awakening through the League of Prizren...
, diplomat, politician, writer, and a distinguished leader of the National Renaissance of Albania through the League of Prizren
League of Prizren
The League for the Defense of the Rights of the Albanian Nation commonly known as the League of Prizren was an Albanian political organization founded on 10 June 1878 in Prizren, in the Kosovo province of the Ottoman Empire....
, Naim Frashëri
Naim Frashëri
Naim Frashëri was an Albanian poet and writer. He was one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian National Awakening of the 19th century, together with his two brothers Sami and Abdyl...
(national poet), and Sami Frashëri writer, philosopher, and playwright. Also, in 1998 the remains of Faik Konica
Faik Konica
Faik Konica , born in Konitsa, was one of the greatest figures of Albanian culture in the early decades of the twentieth century. Prewar Albanian minister to Washington, his literary review, Albania, became the focal publication of Albanian writers living abroad...
, former Albanian minister to Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and publisher of the Albania
Albania (periodical)
Albania was an Albanian periodical published by Faik Konica, one of the most important figures of Albanian culture in the early decades of the twentieth century...
magazine were brought from the United States and put in a tomb located at the park.
In the park there are 120 species of trees, bushes and flowers. The Botanical Gardens' area is of 14.5 hecatares and the lake's size is of 55 hectares, whereas the area of the park itself is of 230 hectares.
Rehabilitation and controversy
The park has suffered extensively from problems of litter and pollutants and crime has also been reported in the area. In 2005 Tirana's Municipality organized the Green Fair, where major ideas were collected as how to fully rehabilitate the park.In 2008 a lakeside competition was held to come up with the best urban and ecologic masterplan for the future of the district,
to create a new dense urban neighborhood with a park and public facilities at the shore of Tirana Lake. The masterplan consists of 225,000m2 of housing, 60,000m2 offices, 20,000m2 public buildings, 60,000m2 retail, 15,000m2 of hotels and 20,000m2 sport and recreational facilities and a car park. The redesign is scheduled to take place in 2010 with a total estimated investment of 600 million Euro.
The major constructions will reduce the size of the green area of the park, which has led to much controversy on the Albanian media as to the actual benefits to the citizens of Tirana.
The Botanical Gardens are set to be destroyed to build the new Tirana ring motorway