Elbasan, Albania

The last card for today comes from Albania and it is my first one from Elbasan actually...

Here we have a nightview of the city, which is situated in the central part of the country and is one of Albania's largest cities.
Thanks to Indrit for this card, who says that Elbasan is one of the oldest cities in Albania, where  they have a castle, mosques, a clock-tower, a church and a lot of other attractive places.

Me of course, has never been there...I sometime still cannot believe it that I've never set foot in Albania and it is just so near...

there are two stamps on the card...the left one was issued 2011 and is from a set of 3 flower stamps. The other one is from a set of two issued in 2013, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the International Red Cross.

So, that would be all for now...till next time, enjoy the beginning of spring :)

Berat, Albania

well, lets put one more card for today...from the neighbouring Albania

Funny thing I learned about the name of this town is that it was derived from the older Bel(i)grad (or Belgrade, if it feels more familiar to you, which means "white city" in the South Slavic languages), under which name it was known in Greek, Latin and Slavic documents during the High and Late Middle Age.

The old town of Berat has been inscribed on the UNESCO whs list (along with the Albanian town of Gjirokastra), since they bear outstanding testimony to the diversity of urban societies in the Balkans, and to longstanding ways of life which have today almost vanished.

the stamp is from a set of two issued in 2013, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the International Red Cross

one weird thing, if I may call it so, is the airmail label...I mean, why???! :D

well, one more thing to add...Dritan, the guy who sent me the card, seems to appreciate the Macedonian music, from what can be seen on the card as well..he likes Toše...and he also likes Leb i Sol...another great Macedonian band that I recommend you give it a try...

well, so much of cards and stamps and recommendations for now...wishing you a great week ahead and see you around :)

Tirana, Albania

Wohooooo!!!! It may sound odd and sort of unbelievable but this is my very veery first written and stamped card from Albania! Even though it's my neighbouring country, it took me aaallll these years to actually get a written and stamped card from there!!

From all the Macedonia's neighbouring countries (and even further), this is the only one from where I was missing a written and stamped card....and now I got it...plus a few blank ones...and all that thanks to my dear neighbour who had to take a trip in Albania...and was so kind to take the time and send me a card, and bring me some more...well, my neighbour's cat is best friends with my two fur balls....so we take care of each other's cats whenever necessary...so this is another reason why you should get yourself a pet...apart from making your days more joyous and happier...apart from giving you love (in the case of cats thats a tricky and selfish issue)....they make you laugh...and give you the chance to have something to take care of...and on top of that they bring you closer to your neighbours and can help you enrich your postcard collection! :D

And as for the card itself, it was sent from Albania's capital, Tirana...and in the foreground, that place with the pool in front, is "Taivani", which is considered to be one of Tirana's most popular restaurants...while behind it, there is the National Historic Museum lurking...to me, probably the most famous Albanian site....ever since I was little, whenever there was something about Tirana related on the news, they'd give that picture.

the stamp is from a set of two issued in 2008, representing Roman Emperors.

Thanks so much again to my dear neighbour!!!

Butrinti, Albania

And here comes my very first card from Albania...the funny thing is that im actually about to have another Albanian card...and i was informed about it, just shorty after i arranged to have this one...so the same old rule applies..first you dont have any, then you have many :)

Well....this is actually a UNESCO site...it is an ancient Greek city and an archaeological site, near the border with Greece. It is located on a hill, overlooking the Vivari Channel. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of an Epirus city and a Roman colony.

It was included in the UNESCO whs list in 1992. In 1997, due to some issues, UNESCO reclassified it as a "Site in danger" because of looting, lack of protection, management and conservation.

The Albanian Government established the Butrint National Park in 2000. With the support of Albanian institutions and the Butrint Foundation the situation was improved to the point that UNESCO removed the site from the danger list by2005. The National Park was also made a UNESCO World Heritage Site during these years as well as a Ramsar Site,