Castle of Tirana ready for the public; Veliaj invites also those who were against

Erion Veliaj (left), the wife of Edmond Toptani (middle) and Mirela Kumbaro (right) inaugurating the Old Castel of Tirana

 Beginning from today, the Old Castle of Tirana is the city's newest cultural and commercial space, where many citizens and tourists can find souvenir shops, mosaics and traditional restaurants. After Skanderbeg Square and New Bazaar, thanks to the cooperation with the Toptani family about its rehabilitation, the old Castle of Tirana has turned to the citizens as a space where the old fashioned and the modern are intertwined, to serve as a culinary environment for traditional Albanian dishes, but also as an area for the development of artisanship, culture and art.

The head of the Municipality of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, accompanied by the Minister of Culture, Mirela Kumbaro, visited the rehabilitated Fortress facilities. 

"I am convinced that this will be a success story, not just for all of us who are in Tirana and will enjoy this, but for many tourists. I'm sure the Castle will become soon a destination, will probably be one of the most visited places. If we continue in this spirit - there are some things we agree, how we can move forward - I am convinced that even the most septics, those who fought this project and did everything to stop this, should come to see now the Castle ..." Veliaj said.

Tirana Castle premises

As demonstrated in previous projects, the rehabilitation of the Tirana Castle area will bring a positive impact on the city's economy by opening up new jobs. Veliaj underlined that in these three years all the beautiful transformational projects launched by the Municipality of Tirana at the beginning were accompanied by debates. Anyhow, he said, the city is destined to grow. 

"This city, in these 3-4 years that I've been trying to serve, is always surrounded by rage and debate about everything beautiful. I remember when we came here at first, they said: They are ripping the Castle, they are destroying it, the city is over, the towers are knocked, concrete. Now let's just explain it to them: the city is growing every year with 25-27 thousand people, needs to have places where people will live. We can not make ghettos, we cannot build informal constructions. Better to live in the small houses build in communist era where the garbage is collected, where the the address is functional, where there is water and energy." said Veliaj.

Tirana Old Castle Entrance

He stressed that this is also a moment to reflect, as Albanians will not have to waste time setting obstacles to each other, but to help and to be all together. 

Old Castle of Tirana at the Entrance

"There is a moment to reflect on what we Albanians are concerned about, what time we spend, debates, why we put our hands on each other's throat, about what, for parties? In 2018 we are afraid of the party's ideal - this is red, Toptani is blue, these so, they too. Is it worth to behave as hysterical fans of the party, who is voted once in four years on who does the job better, nut I think it is time for us to join as 'Tirons', as Albanians, as Europeans to say: Is doing one thing well, we all must help, because by providing a space where there is an economy, moving money, employing people, paying taxes, the property gets value, the whole city gets better," said Veliaj.