The truest face of Communism
The truest face of Communism
This tour will take you to the frightening communist regime in Albania, which consists of presenting you the lifestyle, the old dictator’s Enver Hoxha crimes, a surveillance museum, bunkers built to survive the dangers of a nuclear war which existed only in the leader’s imagination, the Historical Museum and lots more.
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Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Skanderbeg Square
The first thing we will explore is the main square of Tirana which is composed of the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower of Tirana, the National Theater of Opera and Ballet (in which the first brick was put by the ex. President of Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev), the National Bank of Albania, one of the oldest hotels, iconic in Tirana, the Tirana International Hotel and more.
30 minutesMuzeu Historik Kombetar
That looks kinda weird, but living in a communist country it was hard to have more than others. And living (literally) in the most isolated country in the world was something extremely hard. No connections to the outside world (like, at all) meant no import-export process and no import-export meant not enough food for everyone but enough metals for all of the country's railway and more in stock. And that's only the beginning...
1 hourEnver Hoxha Pyramid
One of the most famous buildings in Tirana, the Pyramid stands at the main boulevard as a sign of the communist non-sensical regime. It was first built as a museum dedicated to Hoxha, the leader of the Communist Party, First Secretary of the Party of Labor from ’44-’85 to his day of death and the head-architect of the communism crimes. The Enver Hoxha mausoleum was opened three years later, in ’88 and it was co-designed by Hoxha’s daughter. After the fall of Communism in Albania, it has served as a cultural center, as a National Television office, and has survived a project to be destroyed but still stands as a symbol of notorious communism and mostly as a touristic attraction.
15 minutesPostbllok - Checkpoint Monument
The ‘Postbllok’ is a Memorial to the Communist Isolation and deed and was built by the former regime dissident Fatos Lubonja and the artist Ardian Isufi. It consists of three main elements: a concrete defensive bunker (the dictatorship built thousands of them, one for each family, in case of a nuclear or world war), several concrete supports from the mine at the notorious Spaç labor camp where thousands of political prisoners suffered between 1968 and 1990 and a brightly painted section of the Berlin Wall from Postdamer Platz that once split Germany in two.
10 minutesHouse of Leaves
It is the museum in Tirana called the Museum of Secret Surveillance and has taken the name “House of Leaves” because of the plants covering its facade. It narrates best the terrors that cover a harsh dictatorship and is filled with mystery and legends about the secret activities that used to occur there.
1 hourBlloku
During our trip, we will pass at the notorious Block area, an area that used to serve as a living and leisure neighborhood only to the political communist bureau and that even maps used to miss. Nowadays it’s the heart of Tirana, full of fancy boutiques, colorful coffee shops, cocktails bars and pubs, and creative street-art. Here also lies the former villa of Hoxha, left untouched and unused (just like the pyramid), but still, as a sign of the luxurious life lived by the dictator. We can only see it from the outside since it’s not allowed to enter. We offer traditional food and rakija in a restaurant near the area and here we will make a shortstop.
50 minutesBunk'Art 1
The museum is a new addition to the city of Tirana and it's filled with different rooms that would serve as shelters and rooms for the elite in case of an attack from the outer world...something that never happened. Nowadays the rooms are turned into museum rooms that contain fragments of the communist history of our country. It is almost 3000 m. square of underground rooms, corridors, and container rooms, spread over several floors The bunker was built in the '70 and remained a secret for much of its existence. It was designed to survive nuclear attacks, with walls made of double concrete and enough space to host more than 100 people. The labyrinthic style of the underground resort is exciting and the history will leave you speechless.
1 hourIncluded
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Fees and Taxes
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Alcoholic Beverages - Have you heard of 'Rakia'?It's one of the most alchoolic beverages in the world and an old traditional drink here in our country. Be careful though, don't drink too much, it's stronger than you think.
- Hotel pick up
- Entry/Admission - Bunk'Art 1
- Entry/Admission - Blloku
- Entry/Admission - Muzeu Historik Kombetar
- Entry/Admission - House of Leaves
Not Included
- Lunch
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.