Mësonjtorja e parë shqipe (First Albanian School) Education Museum
The Museum is housed in the building where the first Albanian school, Mësonjëtorja, was opened on March, 7, 1887. This building was a donation by the patriot from Korça Diamanti Tërpo, to be used as a school. The Museum display stands hold a photocopy of the first Albanian reading primer written by Naum Veqilharxhi, and the second Albanian reading primer written by Kostandin Kristoforidhi. Photos of the illustrious patriots, who contributed to the opening of this school, include Pandeli Sotiri, Petro Nini Luarasi, Nuçi Naçi. Outstanding education personalities, including Qiriazi sisters, are also show at this Museum.
Open: Monday through to Friday
Visiting hours: 8:00-15:00
Iliaz Bay Mirahorit Mosque
This mosque is the oldest monument of the city and the oldest mosque in Albania. This building, dates back to the year 1496, when the city began to function as the administrative unit and named after Iliaz Bay Mirahorit (Ilia Panariti).
Iliaz Bay Mirahorit Mosque is of historical, cultural, religious, and architectural importance. The inside is painted white, with some pictures of Mecca and Medina on the wall. It is the oldest monument in Korçë, from the times when the city began to function as an administrative unit.
Themistokli Germenji Park
Themistokli Germenji Park is a very well known park in Korca. Here is found the monument of Themistokli Germenji (1871-1917), the place where the City Band permorms, as well as the Children’s Library donated to the city by the phylantrop Thoma Turtulli.
Themistokli Germenji is a well known patriot, member of the movement for freedom and democracy, a supporter of the the government of Ismail Qemal.
After emigrating, he returned home and fought against annexation goals of the Albanian territories. Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Autonomous Republic of Korca (1916). He was sentenced to death in a French military trial and executed by a firing squad in Thessaloniki (Greece).
Museum house of painter “Vangjush Mio”
This house museum of impressionist painter Korça Vangjush Mio was declared a cultural monument; it contains about 40 oil paintings of landscapes and pristine nature, and many drawings that are remarkable for their very special style. Vangjush Mio was a distinguished painter and the first Albanian who opened an exhibition in Tirana in 1920, and in 1942 in Bari, Italy.
Regional Tourist Information Center
Here you can find information about the Korça Region and also about other cities and destinations in Albania. You can book accommodation or other tourist services, such as guided trips with professional guides.
A. Z. Çajupi Theatre
The Korça City Theatre was established in 1951, through theatrical activity and leaders. After the change of the political system, the Korça Theatre did not stop its activities; now the artists of the city were seen as contributors to developing another culture.
Today, the theatre “Anton Zako Çajupi” is one of the few professional institutions of its kind in southeastern Albania.
The theatre building was constructed in 1971 and seats about 220. Its architectural construction is a pure example of communist era.
Boulevard Republika
This main boulevard is regarded as a cultural monument with characteristic Albanian houses lining the streets, with trees and flowers. It is also known as “the boulevard of walking or wandering” because it is the Korça’s people principal place of daytime and evening promenading.
Korca Brewery
The first Albanian Beer Brewery, constructed in 1929. The project/idea came from an Italian investor, Umberto, and Slim Morten from Mora of Korça . ” Korça Beer JSC” was created with a capital of 950,000 gold francs. The brewery was completed in 1943. After World War II and with the establishment of the communist regime in Albania, the factory was nationalized under the laws of the government.
The factory produced blonde beer, black beer, water and ice crystals. Technological processes of beer production were introduced by a German engineer, Herbart Heralding, and are still preserved today. From an architectural point of view, the building was kept to its original architectural design, despite recently purchased modern technological lines of 2005, imported from the Czech Republic.
Cemetery of Martyrs
A large statue of a soldier with a raised fist overlooks Korça from the cemetery, reminding of soldiers who died during the Second World War. The “two wing”—shaped terraces hold dozens of tombs and a building with the names of soldiers on panels, many of whom died young, in their twenties.
Grassland of Tears
“Grassland of Tears” was the route of exile during the 19th century. Korça is the only city that preserves such a place dedicated to the origins of migration. It was known as the place “where the city ended”; with candles and tears, women waited for men who had fled, or for news that they were alive and well.
During the 19th century, people returned to the temple lawn of migrants. At the time when Korça had about 12,000 inhabitants, the “Grassland of Tears” was where the roads divided. The exile and return of people has left us a legacy; today, the area where the lawn once was still bears the name “valley of tears”. Nowadays is turned into a creative space for citizens.
Rinia Park
Here you can find an open gallery park with a sculpture collection. Korça was the first city in Albania to welcome sculptors from around the world to work here every year, relating the city to the ancient tradition of outdoor stone working. It is worthwhile visiting the place of “first kisses” for all those who live in Korça .
Bazaar
The Korça bazaar is characterized by one- and two-story buildings, narrow alleys, and a vast offer of goods ranging from fresh cheese, olives and other agricultural products to clothing, socks, and kitchen goods. The historical, cultural and artistic value of the bazaar is great, and the mere “experience” of its atmosphere attracts many visitors. During past centuries, the bazaar has been the site of exchange for traders not only from Albania, but also from Turkey, Greece, Trieste and Venice. Until several years ago, the bazaar was full of small inns and places to stay the night. The most famous was the Han of Elbasan, which served as a monastery, and also as a dormitory for people from out of town.
The bazaar and market place reached its peak with over 1,000 stores and shop-fronts during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. According to the urban structure of the city, creates an ensemble in its own. Both parts of the bazaar that were separated by the river, were joined by wooden bridges, while the main road coming from the town crossed the river on a stone bridge archway, above which rose shopping stores.
It burned down three times but was always rebuilt. Nowadays it continues to function just as before, giving significant historic and monumental meaning to the city.
Orthodox Cathedral
Built in 1994 as one of the largest cathedrals in Albania, the Orthodox cathedral of Korça is highly valued for its size and central location in the city.
Comprising 1,800 square meters, the cathedral “Resurrection of Christ” is a concrete building with three floors. It symbolizes the return of religious practices in a country where all religion was banned, from 1967 to 1991.
Mosaic shadow of the Cathedral of St. George
Built by Anastas Lakce and located near the city library, there was once another cathedral called St. George’s Cathedral. Historically it was the largest stone building in Korça; unfortunately, it was destroyed during the anti-religious campaigns of 1968. However, St. George is still regarded a patron saint of the city of Korça.
Pedestrian Zone
A new tourist attraction in town is the pedestrian area. In this boulevard are most public institutions in the city as the Cultural Center “V. Mio “Gallery” Guri Madhi “Museum” Gjon Mili “, Museum of Education, City Library, the Germenj Themistokli House etc. In this area you can find many boutique clothing as well as bar and restaurants.
“Vangjush Mio” Cultural Center
This building housed the City Hall during the 1930s. It was one of the most important buildings that marked a return to modern architecture in the city, following the Italian model. Today the Cultural Centre is the most important cultural and artistic hub in the Korça Region, with the Photo Gallery “John Milli,” the Lira Choir, the Scanderbeg Ensemble, and the City Band.
“Gjon Mili” Museum
American photographer Gjon Mili with albanian origin, now has a museum corner in the city of its origin, Korçë. 15 world famous photos taken by the photographer are exposed in the Cultural Center “Vangjush Mio” in a separate room. Gjon Mili is known as the photograph who used for the first time electronic flash photography movement.
Gjon Mili was born on November 24, 1904 in Korçë. At the age of 5 his family emigrated to Romania. There he did the high school and at the age of 19 he went to America. He graduated in the Institute of Technology of Massachusetts as lighting engineer. During this time he dealt with photographic art.
“Thimi Mitko” Library
The library is located in the city center and has a considerable fund of books, a free internet room for all its subscribers, sale meetings and other facilities
Bratko Oriental Art Museum
The Bratko Oriental Art Museum was opened in June 2003, fulfilling the dream of Demetrius Borjes (1903-1990) — artist, photographer and collector of Asian art and antiques. Borja was born in Korça , travelled around the world and settled in America. As an immigrant he personally experienced many of the struggles of the 20th century.
Among some 432 artifacts, you can find a piano, Chinese altar, traditional Japanese clothing, traditional belts Chinese skirts, an Indonesian sword, European medals, Japanese paintings, oriental rugs, as well as various photographs that Borja acquired while serving in the UN Mission for the Balkans Reconstruction during 1945-46. The photographs found in the halls of the museum depict immediate post-war social and cultural history, as well as the important role played by General MacArthur in the economic and institutional reconstruction of Japan. In the words of archivist Zobel for Borian: “He was a genius. He came to this country with nothing; he managed to become famous through his work, and this shows his strong character. “
Open: Monday- Friday
Price of ticket:100 lek
Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum, established in 1985, became broader and more complete after a re-organization in 1990. This museum is located in one characteristic house of Korça in the early 19th century, and due to their architectural value are declared monuments of culture.
It is unique in its kind. Starting from the Neolithic period (6000 BC) until the Early Medieval (Century IX –century XII AD). The museum contains important documents and artifacts representing prehistoric settlements, such as Potgoria, Vashtmia, Maliqi, Dunaveci, and Tren. There are about 1,098 items on display, most belonging from the Neolithic Age till Early Medieval Period.
Open: Monday- Friday
Price of ticket:100 lek
Korça Holy Grounds
Korça has a outstanding number of churches and holy grounds. The city registers over seven churches, with the number of holy grounds amounting. The local inhabitants, the majority being Orthodox, say they attend church services every Friday and Sunday. This is no wonder. What is impressive about is that both the people from the city of Korça and the surrounding areas have built tens of holy grounds. People from Korça say that the building of a holy ground is a legend. For example: Sofika Poleska, a Korça resident argues that “…people responsible for creating such holy palces, do so in response to hearing voices in their dreams telling them that a holy ground should be built in “a certain” location. The dream repeats itself, until they build the holy ground is built. Otherwise, the persons under discussion may suffer a family misfortune. Sofika Poleska, who was born, grew up and married in the area of Prespa, says that the local inhabitants are afraid of ignoring what the voices in their dreams tell them to. Some time ago, a man dared to disobey the voices he heard in his dreams every night. Soon after, his 2-year old son passed away. The news spread and, ever since, no one dares to go against the “voice in the dream.”
Old neighborhoods of Korca
Old neighbourhoods are situated to the east of Korça, behind the Ringjallja e Krishtit Cathedral, at the intersection of the Republika Boulevard and the Shën Gjergji Boulevard. Overall, the old houses are in good shape, and are worth visiting. Following the bourgeoisie’s enrichment in the first decade of the 20th century, the contrast between the new part and the old part of the city, which encapsulated the Penço and Manço Neighbourhoods (the neighbourhoods further down the Monument to the National Fighter), became highly noticeable. Whereas the old part of the city revealed the typical urban planning of the Balkan medieval centres with narrow winding alleys and low buildings, the neighbourhoods in the new part of the city, especially the Barç Neighbourhood, were characterised by straight roads that formed building blocks.
Cemetery of French Soldiers
They are located to the north-east of city, precisely at the outskirts of the city. You should take the Republika Boulevard. Once past the Stadium, take right on the road adjacent to the Stadium. The Cemetery is 1 kilometre from the Stadium on the left, and houses 640 tombs. French soldiers, who fell here during the First World War, are buried there. The citizens from Korça have always taken care of this cemetery.