VirtualGlobetrotting: Albania Maps & Satellite Images

VirtualGlobetrotting Live View

Kepi i Rodonit
AKpilotEMT (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: AKpilotEMT.
Read more...

Laguna e Nartes (Narta Lagoon)
AKpilotEMT (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: AKpilotEMT.
Read more...
Part of a significant ecosystem in the surrounding area which is constantly in danger of being further destroyed by a hydrochloric acid factory, oil exploration, deforestation, Albanian suburban sprawl, hunting, dynamite fishing and claims made to enlarge the nearby farms and saltpans.

Bunkers in Albania near the Jugoslavian border
Hinkkanen (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Hinkkanen.
Read more...
Albania, once the most paranoid country in the world, is full of cement domes. Enver Hoxha, the leader of the country from 1945 to 1985, littered the small country with 500,000 - 700,000 bunkers and fortifications.

Albanian Air Force hangar inside a mountain
kjfitz (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kjfitz.
"Also widely known as 'Gjadr' or 'Gjadër', Zadrima is located in the north west of the country, south of Shkodër (Skhodra), about 65km north of Tiranë. The airfield is unique in Albania in being built near a mountain. It was built to allow aircraft after landing to go into a tunnel under the mountain. The tunnels have a capacity of storing about 50 aircraft plus personel. As the airfield is located in the side ofthe mountain, the pilots have to be careful not turn when taking off as they can crash on the sides of the mountain. This airfield was built to minimise the threat from the Serbian Air Force entering Albanian airspace. Hence, the most advanced aircraft, the F-7 was based there, to counter any Serbian aircraft. Construction of the base began in 1969, but because of its complexity it wasn't finished until the mid 1970s. The first aircraft to use its runway landed on 10 July 1973, and the official opening was held on 15 March 1974. Regiment 5646 was established here with one squadron of F-6s, but in May 1976 six FT-5s arrived here and also the F-7A squadron from Rinas. On 16 October 1976, a second F-6 squadron moved to the base from Kuçovë. The home unit was later redesignated 4010 Regt. From April to November 1995 the base hosted Predator UAV systems operated by the USAF to monitor the conflict in Bosnia. On 12 March 1997, the base was stormed by local people and several buildings, including the control tower, were destroyed. Lack of funds prevented the base from being repaired, and flying operations ceased in 2000. It is now used as a storage facility for fighter aircraft withdrawn from service. No air force aircraft are permanently based there."
--www.aeroflight.co.uk

Entrance to an underground aircraft hangar
Hinkkanen (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Hinkkanen.
Entrance to an underground aircraft hangar near Berat-Kuçovë Air Base, Albania. Aircraft in sight are Mig-17s or possibly Mig-15s.

Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)
adrbr (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: adrbr.

Berat-Kuçovë Air Base
AKpilotEMT (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: AKpilotEMT.
"Also reported as being spelled Bezat-Kuçova. It is located in the south of the country, between Vlorë and Korcë, 40 miles (64 km) south of Tiranë. It was opened in 1955. Over time, it has hosted all the fighter types used by the Albanian AF - except the F-7A. This base also houses the Aviation Maintenance Unit which performs complete overhauls on all Albanian aircraft. On 10 March 1997, the base was occupied by violent demonstrators and most of the infrastructure was severely damaged. During 2002-2004 it was upgraded to full NATO standards with a new control tower, resurfaced runways and new lighting. All the MiG-15bis aircraft based here were retired in 2002 and placed in storage in a large shelter constucted inside the mountain bordering the base."
--www.aeroflight.co.uk

Amphitheatre of Durres
kjfitz (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kjfitz.
The Amphitheatre of Durres, built in the 2nd century before Christ, figures amongst the largest monuments of the Antiquity. It is the only monument of this type on Albanian territory. The amphitheatre is situated in the center of the city of Durres, the main port of Albania. The founding of Durres, a city mentioned by writers and historians, dates back to 627 before Christ.

More Albanian bunkers
Hinkkanen (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Hinkkanen.
Bunkers can be found literally everywhere in Albania, especially near the borders. Link here is to a picture from Wikipedia that shows typical sight on an Albanian field.

Migs at Berat-Kuçovë Air Base
Mig-19s and some Mig-17s at Berat-Kuçovë Air Base in Albania. They might also be Chinese built varsions, Shenyang J-5s and J-6s.

Kepi i Palit

Lezhë-Zadrima (closed Albanian military airfield)
"Also widely known as 'Gjadr' or 'Gjadër', Zadrima is located in the north west of the country, south of Shkodër (Skhodra), about 65km north of Tiranë. The airfield is unique in Albania in being built near a mountain. It was built to allow aircraft after landing to go into a tunnel under the mountain. The tunnels have a capacity of storing about 50 aircraft plus personel. As the airfield is located in the side ofthe mountain, the pilots have to be careful not turn when taking off as they can crash on the sides of the mountain. This airfield was built to minimise the threat from the Serbian Air Force entering Albanian airspace. Hence, the most advanced aircraft, the F-7 was based there, to counter any Serbian aircraft. Construction of the base began in 1969, but because of its complexity it wasn't finished until the mid 1970s. The first aircraft to use its runway landed on 10 July 1973, and the official opening was held on 15 March 1974. Regiment 5646 was established here with one squadron of F-6s, but in May 1976 six FT-5s arrived here and also the F-7A squadron from Rinas. On 16 October 1976, a second F-6 squadron moved to the base from Kuçovë. The home unit was later redesignated 4010 Regt. From April to November 1995 the base hosted Predator UAV systems operated by the USAF to monitor the conflict in Bosnia. On 12 March 1997, the base was stormed by local people and several buildings, including the control tower, were destroyed. Lack of funds prevented the base from being repaired, and flying operations ceased in 2000. It is now used as a storage facility for fighter aircraft withdrawn from service. No air force aircraft are permanently based there."
--www.aeroflight.co.uk

Kukesi airstrip
"Kukesi was a reserve airstrip. It is located in northern Albania, near the border between Kosovo and Macedonia. Date of construction not known. It is occasionally used by Albanian Air Force, but no air force aircraft are regularly based there. Referred to by NATO as 'Kukes', this base was used by NATO aircraft (including an RAF Chinook) during operation Allied Force, April-June 1999, to deliver relief supplies to refugees from Kosovo - although some problems were experienced as it was not equipped with airfield lighting for night operations. Subsequently, the airfield was rebuilt and is now used for civilian flights."

Old aircraft at Tirana airport
Old aircraft at Rinas Mother Teresa Airport (TIA), Tirana, four Ilyushin Il-14 transports, an Ilyushin Il-28 bomber, two MIG-19s, a Mig-17 and an unknown plane, possibly Antonov AN-2.

Karaburun

Castle of Shkodra(Rozafa)
kaiken (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kaiken.

Four Albanian Mig-15s
kjfitz (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kjfitz.

Rinas Mother Teresa Airport
Main airport of Albania.
"It was constructed in 1961 and is extremely large. It was the home of two squadrons of F-6 interceptors tasked with the defence of the capital. It is currently the home base to 4020 Regt (previously 7594 Regt). Facilities here were upgraded by the USA to enable USAF C-17s to use it for relief supply flights during Operation Allied Force in April 1999. It was also home to the spectacularly inept 'Task Force Hawk' deployment of US Army AH-64As and UH-60s of the 12th Avn Brigade between April and June 1999. After 2000 it was home to a squadron of F-6s and the few remaining serviceable F-7As."

Sunk ship in Albania
nicolor (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: nicolor.
relict in Durres Harbor

Bunë / Bojana River
In Albania it's the Bunë & in Serbia and Montenegro it's the Bojana. Whichever you wanna call it, this river makes up the most southern portion of the Serbia and Montenegro & Albania border as it flows into the Adriatic Sea.

Butrint
kaiken (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kaiken.
Butrint (Greek: Βουθρωτόν & Βουθρωτός, romanized: Bouthrōtón, Latin: Buthrōtum) was an ancient Greek and then Roman city and bishopric in Epirus. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Buthrotum was a city of the Epirote tribe of the Chaonians, later a Roman colony and a bishopric. It entered into decline in Late Antiquity, before being abandoned during the Middle Ages after a major earthquake flooded most of the city. In modern times it is an archeological site in Vlorë County, Albania, close to the Greek border. It's on a hill overlooking the Vivari Channel and is part of Butrint National Park.
The city is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. Due to the immense cultural, historical, and natural value of the site, Butrint was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and a National Park in 2000.

Burrel prison
Mike1989 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Mike1989.
The Prison of Burrel (Albanian: Burgu e Burrelit) was a political prison in Communist Albania at the city of Burrel.
Togerther with the Spaç Prison the prison was site of one of the most terrible prisons of the communist regime, where both ordinary criminals and political prisoners such as Bashkim Shehu and Fatos Lubonja or the Catholic priest Dom Simon Jubani were held. Another famous inmate was Pjetër Arbnori, later to become a member of the free Albanian Parliament. Arbnori was known as "the Mandela of the Balkans" because of the length of his internment, which lasted for over 28 years. It was one of the Communist Albania concentration camps. The political prisoners used to be condemned for attempts at overthrowing the state or anti-communist propaganda and agitation, for terms of at least 20 years. Often they were re-condemned while in prison. After the fall of the communist regime, the government of the Democratic Party of Albania closed the prison and made it a museum. However in 1997, Sali Berisha re-opened it as an active prison.

1 Osum + 1 Devoll = 1 Seman
The Osum river from the south joins the Devoll from the east/north and together they form the Seman which empties into the Adriatic Sea.

Mount Korab
kkeps (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kkeps.
Mount Korab ( Macedonian: Голем Кораб, Golem Korab, Albanian: Maja e Korabit or Mali i Korabit ) is the highest mountain of the Republic of Macedonia and Albania, its peak forming a frontier between the two countries. The Korab mountain is adjacent to the Šar Mountains. There are three other peaks in Albania reaching a height of more than 2,700 m (8,858 ft) two of them rising to 2,716 m (8,911 ft) and 2,745 m (9,006 ft).
The Korab is also pictured in the coat of arms of Macedonia.

Ancient theatre of Hadrianopolis
adrbr (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: adrbr.

Kepi i Semanit
Where the Seman river empties into the Adriatic Sea.

Stadiumi Selman Stërmasi
adrbr (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: adrbr.
Capacity : 12,500

Citadel of Berat
kaiken (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kaiken.

Vjosë (or Aóos) River Delta
The Vjosë, starting in Greece as the Aóos, empties into the Adriatic Sea here at this cape which I cannot find a name for while even the tiniest little capes in Albania seem to have names, this one doesn't!

Sazan
Used as a fort by Italy during World Wars I & II. Post-WWII, the Soviets constructed a submarine base on the island which they used until relations with Albania collapsed in 1961. Today, Italy & Albania use the island to try to halt smuggling of all sorts including drugs and humans.

Stadiumi Burreli

Prison 313
Mike1989 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Mike1989.
The Prison 313 (Burgu 313) or Jordan Misja Prison

Port of Durrës

Qemal Stafa
boothy443 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: boothy443.
Home pitch to the Albanian National Football Team

Stadiumi Loro Boriçi
Loro-Boriçi Stadium,
Capacity 16,000

Këneta e Karavastasë
Karavasta Lagoon is an important international wetlands area protected since 1994 but still under threat from surrounding areas who just don't care too much about conservation.

Lake Ohrid
kkeps (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kkeps.
Lake Ohrid (Macedonian: Охридско Езеро, Ohridsko Ezero; Albanian: Liqeni i Ohrit or Liqeni i Pogradecit) straddles the mountainous border between the southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem with more than 200 endemic species that is of worldwide importance. The importance of the lake was further emphasized when it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979 and when, in 2010, NASA decided to name one of Titan's lakes after Lake Ohrid.

Durrës Archaeological Museum
kkeps (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kkeps.
The Durrës Archaeological Museum (Albanian: Muzeu Arkeologjik‎) in Durrës, Albania, established in 1951, is the largest archaeological museum in the country. The museum is located near the beach and north of the museum are the 6th-century Byzantine walls, constructed after the Visigoth invasion of 481. The 1997 rebellion in Albania saw the museum seriously damaged and looted.

Ruins of Apollonia
hhgygy (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: hhgygy.

Stadiumi Peqin

Stadiumi Flamurtari

Pasha Liman Base
Mike1989 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Mike1989.
The Pasha Liman Base or Pashaliman Base, is an Albanian navy base

Mat

Gjirokastër
TexasAndroid (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: TexasAndroid.

Skanderbeg's mausoleum
hhgygy (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: hhgygy.
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg (6 May 1405 – 17 January 1468), widely known as Skanderbeg (from Turkish: İskender Bey, meaning "Lord Alexander", or "Leader Alexander"; Albanian: Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu), was a 15th-century Albanian lord.

Kepi i Lagjit

Stadium Tower

Stadioni Niko Dovana

Liqeni i Ulzës

Vlorës Bay
The mountainous Karaburun shelters the bay on the west. The city of Vlorë is on the northeastern shore where one can catch a ferry over to Italy.

Huge contrail
gamma (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: gamma.

Abdurrahman Roza Haxhiu Stadium

Stadiumi Fushë-Krujë

Petrela Castle
Today it's also a restaurant.

Lezhë Castle
hhgygy (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: hhgygy.

Stadiumi Laçi

Stadiumi Loni Papuçiu

Fier Power Station
The Fier Power Station is Albania's largest thermal power plant having 6 identical groups of 31 MW each thus totalling a capacity of 186 MW.

Stadiumi Bashkim Sulejmani

Ardenica Monastery

Double-headed eagle
The National symbol of Albania

Muradie Mosque
The Muradie Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Muradies) is a Cultural Monument of Albania, located in Vlorë.

Stadiumi Tefik Jashari

Vau i Dejës Hydroelectric Power Station
The Vau i Dejës Hydroelectric Power Station is a hydroelectric dam on the Drin river, in Albania. Completed in 1973, the it consists of five turbines of Chinese origin, each with a nominal capacity of 52 MW. The total installed capacity is 260 MW.

Butrinto Venetian fortress

Stadiumi Tomori

Fier Mosque

Ebu Beker Mosque
The Ebu Beker Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia Ebu Beker) is a mosque in Shkodër, in northwestern Albania. The mosque was historically important in the scholarly learning of the city and attracted notable Islamic scholars and theologians.

Stadiumi Besa

T-33A (forced down 23 December, 1957)
Rene73 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Rene73.
U.S. Air Force T-33A Shooting Star (s/n 51-4413) at the "National Weapons Museum" in Gjirokastra, Albania. The aircraft had been forced down on 23 December 1957.

Osum Canyon
tallturtle82 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: tallturtle82.
The Osum Canyon is one of Albania's natural wonders located in southern Albania. In spring the Osum river is full causing many beautiful waterfalls in the canyons. In summer the water is lower, allowing oppurtunities to walk and swim.

Bajzë Rail Station
The Bajzë Rail Station (Albanian: Stacioni Hekurudhor i Bajzë) is a railroad station located in Bajzë, Albania. It serves Albanian Railways as a freight line between Bajzë and Shkodër with an extension to the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica operated by Railways of Montenegro. Two freight trains pass daily through the station, hauling over 10,000 tonnes of commodities monthly. Long term plans exist to establish and operate international passenger trains between Albania and Montenegro via Bajzë. The vast majority of Albanian entrepreneurs import their goods through the railway line from all over Europe, as transport through train is about 50% cheaper than road transport. Cleaning of toxic chemicals, which had been dumped during 1991-1992, finished in 2009.

Runway mismatch
gamma (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: gamma.
Rinas Mother Teresa Airport

Stadiumi Rrogozhinë

National Historical Museum, Albania
Xeba73 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Xeba73.
The National Historical Museum is the country's largest museum. It was opened on 28 October 1981 and is 27,000 square metres in size, while 18,000 square metres are available for expositions. The museum was designed by Albanian architect Enver Faja.
The construction of the museum required the demolition of the former Tirana Municipal Building. The gigantic mosaic appearing at the main entrance is entitled The Albanians.
The National Historical Museum includes the following pavilions: Antiquity, Medieval, Rilindja Kombetare, Iconography, Culture of Albania, Albanian Resistance of World War II, and Communist genocide.

St. Mary's Church & Monastery
Currently hosting the museum of Apollonia

Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station
The Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station (Albanian: Liqeni i Fierzës) is a large hydroelectric power station on the Drin River, in Albania. The facility generates power with four 125 MW turbines, totalling the installed capacity to 500 MW.
This rock-fill dam measures 152 m (499 ft) in height, and 380 m (1,250 ft) in length along the crest. Construction began in 1971 and was completed eight years later in 1979. The dam is one of the three hydroelectric dams on the Drin River.

Xhamia-Babrru
nico (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: nico.

Shkumbin

St. Anthony's church in Albania

Great Mosque of Durres

Rajfi Residence under construction
At 299 ft, this is the tallest building in Durres

Xhamia e Plumbit mosque
Lead Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Plumbit) is a historical mosque in Shkodër, northwestern Albania. It is located on a small lake and is not functional.

Early Christian basilica

Stadiumi Kastrioti

Stadiumi Korabi

Ali Pasha Castle

Borsh Castle

Shijak transmitter (tallest structure in Albania)
Tallest structure in Albania (130m/427 ft)

Byllis
Drudii (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Drudii.
Byllis was an ancient Roman city in Albania. The city was originally founded by Greek settlers, but the Romans came and took control of the city.
The city had a 2,200m long wall surrounding it with 6 gates, Sections of the wall and many building foundations including an open air theatre remain at the site.

St. George's Cathedral

Gjirokastra Stadium

Skanderbeg Monument
tallturtle82 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: tallturtle82.
The monument is in memory of George Castriot or Gjergj Kastrioti, commonly known as Skanderbeg (1405-1468). Skanderbeg was a 15th century Albanian nobleman who garnered fame for defending the Albanians against the Ottomans for 25 years.
The monument was was created by Odhise Paskali and errected in 1968, the 500th anniversary of Skanderbeg's death. It stands 11 meters (36 feet).

Embassy of the United States, Tirana
nico (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: nico.

Stadiumi Gjorgji Kyçyku

German War Cemetery Tirana
Dania (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Dania.
60 German soldiers of WW 2 are buried here. Over 1,800 with names and around 600 unknown are remembered on a memorial since the missing from all over Albania haven't been found yet

Orthodox cathedral in Albania

Stadiumi Nexhip Trungu

Pyramid Exhibition Hall
Originally, the Enver Hoxha Museum. The pyramid-shaped structure was designed by Hoxha's daughter and opened in 1988, three years after Hoxha's death.

Et'hem Bey Mosque