Mother Teresa Square - Tirana's Historic Landmark

A Square Rooted in History and Honor

Mother Teresa Square, the second-largest public square in Tirana, Albania, stands as a grand tribute to the Albanian-born missionary and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Mother Teresa. This expansive plaza echoes the footsteps of history, evolving from a colonial-era construct to a symbol of national pride.

Architectural Vision: Italian Precision, Albanian Soul

The square’s blueprint emerged from the mind of Gherardo Bosio, a renowned Italian architect whose Rationalist style left a distinct mark on Albania’s urban landscape. Carved into existence between 1939 and 1941, during Italy’s occupation, the square was originally christened Victor Emmanuel III Square—a nod to Italy’s monarch at the time.

Bosio’s vision wasn’t limited to aesthetics; it was a calculated move, aligning the square with Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard to create a monumental axis through Tirana. This thoroughfare pulses with historic and cultural significance, threading Albania’s past with its present.

The Landmarks that Embrace the Square

Mother Teresa Square doesn’t stand alone. It is framed by pillars of academia and heritage, anchoring itself at the intellectual core of Tirana. The following institutions proudly border the plaza:

University of Tirana – Albania’s leading institution of higher education.
Polytechnic University of Tirana – The nation’s technical and engineering heart.
University of Arts – A creative haven, nurturing Albania’s future artists and performers.
Archaeological Museum – Unraveling Albania’s ancient mysteries piece by piece.
Centre of Albanological Studies – Safeguarding Albanian language, history, and culture.

A Fountain, A Saint, A Square Transformed

In 1980, the square’s stark Rationalist aesthetic softened with the addition of a central fountain, offering a tranquil centerpiece. However, with the fall of communism in Albania, tides shifted. The square shed its imperial Italian associations, reborn as Sheshi Nënë Tereza – Mother Teresa Square – in honor of one of Albania’s most cherished figures.

A statue of Mother Teresa soon graced the eastern corner, gazing over the square with quiet reverence. Yet, as history often dictates, even monuments face impermanence. In 2014, during preparations for Pope Francis’ historic visit to Tirana, the statue and fountain were removed to facilitate a grand restoration project.

A Modern Hub of Culture and Celebration

Today, Mother Teresa Square flourishes as a pedestrian sanctuary. Its vast open space invites gatherings of all kinds, from concerts and festivals to public demonstrations and celebrations orchestrated by Tirana’s Municipality. More than just stone and mortar, the square has become a canvas for collective memory, adapting with each chapter Albania writes.

Whether shrouded in the echoes of past empires or illuminated by the hopeful glow of contemporary events, Mother Teresa Square remains a living testament to Albania’s ability to honor tradition while embracing progress.