13 Fun Facts About Albania, Ancient Land of Eagles

Have you heard of Albania? If you have or haven’t, let me tell you a quick story: when I was a teenager traveling in Greece, I took a day trip from the island of Corfu to Albania. This was one of the best decisions I made. I remember the blue water on the Adriatic Sea, the smell of the beaches and the kindness of the people.

The one word I would use to describe Albania is stunning.

Here are some key facts about Albania:

Read on to learn more fun facts about Albania!

A boat floating on the waters in Albania.

1. There is no modern language similar to the Albanian language

The Albanian language occupies its own branch on the Indo-European language family tree and is not close to any other modern languages. Though its exact origins are not known, Albanian is believed to be a developed form of the Illyrian language, which was spoken by the Illyrians, people who occupied the western Balkan peninsula.

The official language of Albanian is considered to be a very difficult language to learn due to its lack of relation to other languages. The Albanian language is spoken by around 7.5 million people worldwide.

Find out how long it takes for a high school student to learn a new language.

2. Albanian culture has a unique superstition surrounding scarecrows

Albania has a very unique way of using scarecrows! These scarecrows can take numerous forms, from mutilated toys to devil-like statues or figures that we would more commonly recognize as scarecrows.

Called dordolecs, these features are placed at building sites, rather than in the fields. They’re not designed to scare crows away, either. Albanians believe that these dordolecs, placed while a property is being constructed, will keep the jealousy of neighbors at bay and function as a good luck charm.

Concrete bunkers overlook the landscape of Gjirokaster, Albania.

3. There are thousands of bunkers in Albania

Albania has tens of thousands of bunkers throughout the country. The bunkers were initially constructed during the rule of dictator Enver Hoxha to offer shelter in the event of an invasion. These concrete structures were never used as intended but still feature prominently across the nation, some of which have been transformed into unique art galleries, hip hostels, and trendy restaurants.

Photos on display at BUNK’ART, Tirana, Albania.

4. The country has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Albania has many historical treasures, thanks to its location and ancient history.

1. The ancient city of Butrint: This city has seen many civilizations, with human habitation dating back to 50,000 BC. It was once a Greek colony, later a Roman city, then under Byzantine control, and finally the Venetians. The site contains ruins from different eras, making it one of Albania’s key archaeological sites.
2. The historic centers of Berat and Gjirokastra: These towns showcase unique Ottoman architecture. Berat Castle, mostly built in the 13th century, has origins dating back to the 4th century BC. Gjirokastra features stunning 17th-century two-story buildings. Berat is known as the “town of a thousand windows” due to its many Ottoman empire era houses on the hillside.
3. Ancient and primeval beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe: Shared with 17 other countries, this site is notable for the adaptable European beech tree. In Albania, you can see these primeval beech forests in Lumi i Gashit in the Albanian Alps.
4. Natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region: Shared with North Macedonia, Ohrid Lake is Europe’s oldest lake, home to flora and fauna from the Tertiary period. The Lin Peninsula by the lake has remains of a 6th-century early Christian church.

Ruins in the UNESCO heritage site of Butrint, Albania.

5. Nod for no, shake your head for yes in Albania

The common form of indicating ‘yes’ or ‘no’ works in the completely opposite way in Albania and can cause some significant misunderstandings for foreign visitors. Albanians shake their heads when they want to say yes and nod their heads when they want to say no. If you’re planning a trip to Albania, it would be a good idea to keep this in mind!

People go for a walk in Tirana, Albania.

Another possibly confusing cultural norm in Albania is for hair stylists to slap you on the back of the neck after you’ve had a haircut. Stylists will often say “me shëndet” as they do it. This translates to “with health” and is a good thing!

Learn more about greetings in different languages.

6. Going for an evening walk is part of the culture in Albania

One of Albania’s pastimes is xhiro, literally “walk.” Though this seems like nothing unique, it is part of the culture to go for a walk in the evenings. This offers people the opportunity to catch up with their friends, family and neighbors, and enjoy the slightly cooler evening weather.

7. Albania was named the first atheist country in the world in 1967

Owing to the Communist regime led by dictator Enver Hoxha, religion was banned in 1967, and Hoxha declared Albania to be the first atheist country in the world. As part of this ban, the military seized religious buildings, destroying them or turning them into businesses.

Fortunately, this ban did not last forever. Today, Albania is known for its religious tolerance, even receiving praise from Pope Francis during his visit to the country in 2014.

8. Albania had the only Muslim king in modern European history

King Zog I ruled Albania stands out as the only Albanian king and only European king who adhered to the Muslim faith. His reign was distinctive in other ways as well; he first served as Prime Minister and then as President before declaring Albania a kingdom and crowning himself King. Zog I was not only the first and only king of Albania to follow Islam, but was also the last king of Albania, leading the country from 1928 until 1939. His reign ended when Italy invaded Albania, forcing him into exile.

9. Albania is a leader in renewable energy

Almost 97% of Albania’s energy is produced by hydropower plants, making this country incredibly eco-friendly.

A portrait of a girl on a wall in Tirana, Albania.

10. Tirana is a city of color