Albanian Culture

Albanian culture is the subject of these articles on churches, monasteries, festivals, villages and the story of Skanderbeg, the national hero. Albania's heritage combines Illyrian, Byzantine, Ottoman and later influences, and much of it is still visible in small places off the main routes. Our guides visit Labova e Kryqit, one of the oldest churches in Albania, and Ardenica Monastery, where Skanderbeg is said to have married. Others follow Skanderbeg through Krujë, Lezhë and Tirana, walk the old Riviera villages of Qeparo, Vuno and Himarë, list festivals and events through the year, and describe Qafë Shtama, a pine forest above Krujë.