PLACE MÈRE-TERESA
Tirana's second-largest square. It is surrounded by three large buildings of Fascist architecture designed by Gherardo Bosio.
This square (Sheshi Nënë Tereza) is where the Boulevard des Martyrs-de-la-Nation ends. This is the city's second-largest square (130 m long by 95 m wide), after Skanderbeg Square. It was designed in 1939 by Italian architect and town planner Gherardo Bosio (1903-1941) and named Piazza del Littorio in reference to the lictor beam, symbol of Italian fascism. Called Piazza dell'Università during the Communist period, it was renamed after Mother Teresa's historic visit in January 1991. It is surrounded by three large buildings designed by Bosio in the rationalist style and completed in 1941. Continuing the boulevard is the building of the Polytechnic University, the country's oldest faculty, founded in 1951. It occupies the former Casa del Fascio, which housed the local headquarters of the National Fascist Party: a five-storey ashlar tower (20 m high), open with three arcades and surrounded by two three-storey wings. Behind it, Tirana's Grand Park opens up. On the right, since 1966, the University of the Arts has occupied the former Palazzo dell'Opera Dopolavoro (Fascist free-time organization). On the left, the two buildings linked by a large colonnade are those of the former Casa della Gioventù Albanese del Littorio (Fascist Youth House). Since the Communist era, they have been occupied by the Rectorate and the National Archaeological Museum. Passing through the columns, you reach the National Stadium.
