- Address: Tirana Big Park and Artificial Lake, Tirana, Albania
- Area: 230 hectares
One of the main attractions of Tirana is the Great Park, located on the shore of an artificial lake in the southern part of the city. This is a favorite place for visiting not only tourists, but also the local population. Here the real life of the inhabitants of Tirana is boiling, cottages, hotels, schools, cafes, restaurants of Albanian cuisine are located around the park. At the entrance to the park you can rent a bicycle and enjoy the Albanian nature to the fullest.
History of the park
A large park was built in 1955 in the green zone of Tirana at the site of the Sodomy Topnotiya memorial, which was the mother of the King of Albania, Ahmet Zogu. At the same time, in 1956, a dam 400 meters long was built to ensure that the water from the future lake was kept at the same level. During the crisis of the 1990s, the park began to become polluted, shrubs began to dry up, and some trees grew and destroyed surrounding plants. Therefore, in 2005, the city authorities organized a "Green Salvation Fair": its essence was that the local people themselves suggested ways to restore their beloved park.
In 2008, the municipality of Tirana held a competition for the best environmental master plan for the new district. Two years later, 600 million euros were allocated for the implementation of the Big Park project: residential buildings, office centers, public buildings, hotels, restaurants, sports and recreational facilities, and auto parking.
What is interesting about the park?
The total area of the park is 230 hectares, of which about 14.5 hectares is occupied by the Botanical Garden. The park has a unique ecosystem - there are about 120 species of trees, bushes and flowers. Thanks to its well-developed infrastructure, excellent nature and a high level of security, the area around the lake is the most popular and prestigious not only in Tirana, but throughout Albania . In the Great Park you can not only enjoy the unique nature, but also get to know the local people more closely. Here you will see athletes, lovers of active recreation and adherents of a healthy lifestyle, peacefully strolled lovers, picnics on families with children .
On the territory of the Great Park in Tirana are also the Orthodox Church of St. Procopius, many monuments dedicated to the historical events and public figures of Albania, a memorial to 25 British soldiers who died during the Second World War, as well as the Presidential Palace, the amphitheater for summer performances and the Tirana Zoo. Here it is always cleaned, and at night along the path of the footpaths the illumination is switched on.
Ecological problems
According to the new plan, the green zone of the Great Park in Tirana has decreased significantly, and many plants from the Botanical Garden have been destroyed for the construction of the new ring road. Over the past few years, the water level in the artificial lake has significantly decreased. Local residents suspect that the lake is purposely drained by the city government, in order to build new residential buildings and earn on the sale of real estate. If the rumors are really confirmed - this will be a real environmental disaster, because in the lake there is an ecosystem that will disappear.
How to get there?
From the city center to the Great Park and the artificial lake can be reached by bus. The park has three entrances, one can be reached by car, the other two can be reached by public transport to Pogradec Bound Minibus Station or Tirana e Re Kollonat.
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