Palace of Brigades

The Presidential Palace (Albanian: Pallati Presidencial), formerly the Royal Palace (Albanian: Pallati mbretëror) and popularly known as the Palace of Brigades (Albanian: Pallati i Brigadave), is the official residence of the president of Albania. The palace was commissioned by King Zog I of the Albanians to serve as his main official residence.

In 1945, it ceased to serve as a royal residence because the monarchist regime was substituted by a Communist-ruled government. Since 1946, it has been used by the Government of Albania for holding official ceremonies and state receptions. In 2013, the palace became an official residence once again, when President Bujar Nishani and his family moved into a reconstructed villa inside the grounds of the palace.

Architecturally, the palace belongs to a rationalism style. It is unique in its genre, not only in the country but in the wider sphere of fascist architecture, including in Italy itself. Its bas-reliefs were covered with drapes in the 1970s during the cultural revolution, but not destroyed. Nevertheless, the palace as a whole is in dire need of restoration. A description of the then new (and unfinished) Royal Palace appeared in the issue of Life dated 22 May 1939.

Text adapted from “Presidential Palace, Tirana” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Palace of Brigades ranks #1,976 of 8,133 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #9 of the 27 mapped in Albania. Founded 1941 — one of 169 atlas entries founded in the 20th century. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 2,725 times in the last 60 days, more than 73% of the atlas. 4 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Tirana, 2 km away. See how Albania compares in the castle statistics.

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