Continuing the last photography series about Albania, in this one the focus lies on the beautiful nature and geography of the country. While being a relatively small country, it offers a mix of different landscapes, from Mediterranean sights to mountainous regions. On the coast, more and more centers of tourism come into being, while the center part of the country is still original and raw. Hence, the aim of this particular series is to highlight Albania’s diversity.
Albania is situated in Southeastern Europe, just north of Greece. Due to its long periods of isolation and its status as the poorest country in Europe, it is not well known, and until recently, just a few travelers came to visit. This is changing in the last few years. More and more backpackers come and discover the beauty of this hidden pearl in the Balkans. At the coastline, more and more hotels are being built, and the infrastructure is growing. There are even talks of reactivating the railway, which was put out of use in the last decades. Albania is a multireligious country, you will find beautiful old mosques in the Ottoman style (picture 1), as well as orthodox churches and catholic monasteries (pictures 4, 8). The people of different faiths live together in peace, and no matter which cultural building you enter, you will receive the Albanian way – warmly and with a smile.
Berati is situated in southern Albania and is well known for its history and architecture. Founded in the 9th century, it has always been a hotspot for different religions; up until today, Christians and Muslims live peacefully in the town. Though famous, Berati is mainly for its stone buildings, situated close to each other on a hillside facing the river Ishull. Visually striking are the large windows on these houses, so Berati also got the name “The City of Thousand Windows.”
Michael Hoffman Photography 