| Rinia Park | |
|---|---|
 Rinia Park shown to the left beyond the crossroads. Skanderbeg Square to the north in the heart of Tirana | |
  Location in Albania  | |
| Type | Park |
| Location |  Tirana, Albania |
| Created | 1950 |
Rinia Park (literally "Youth Park", Albanian : Parku Rinia) is the central public park of Tirana, Albania. Built in 1950 during the communist era, it covers an area of 2.98 hectares (7.4 acres). [1] [2]
The park, 500 metres (1,600 ft) from the central square, is bordered by Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard to the east, Bulevardi Gjergi Fishta and Bajram Curri Boulevard to the south, Rruga Ibrahim Rugova (former "Deshmoret e 4 Shkurtit") to the west and Rruga Myslym Shyri to the north. [1] Immediately to the north is the Teatri i Kukullave and the Orthodox Cathedral. The Taivani Center and water fountain are located on the western perimeter of the park.
Rinia Park was built in 1950 [3] as part of a major urban development program which developed after World War II. It was initially a pleasant family park where inhabitants of Tirana could take their children. [2] [4] [ self-published source ] It was a relatively free space for youth of Tirana, while standing right in front of the communist "Block" across the Lana River, thus it started to be called ironically "Taiwan". Later a complex of cafés and restaurants was erected.
In 1991, after the end of communism, illegal buildings sprang up all around the park; most of these buildings were kiosks, bars and restaurants, [4] and the park became notorious as a hang-out for the kingpins of Tirana's underworld. [4] [5] During the city's cleanup in 2000, these buildings were razed and the park was replanted. [5] All in all, some 130 buildings were demolished and over 45,000 cubic metres (1,600,000 cu ft) of waste removed.
Rinia Park's main landmark is a white, terraced building on its western edge, which houses cafés, restaurants, the Regency Casino (one of only a few legally operating in Tirana), fountains, and a bowling lane in the basement, and which, because of its peculiar architecture, has been likened to a typical James Bond film villain's den or described as spider-shaped. After an old nickname for the park, one of the restaurants (Taivani Bar & Grill) as well as the entire center (Taivani Center) is known as the Taivani. [1] [2] [6]
Every year on March 14, the people of Tirana and Albania have the Summer Festival, their largest pagan festival which is intended to celebrate the end of winter, the rebirth of nature and a rejuvenation of spirit amongst the Albanians. Although the epicentre of this festival is in Shkumbin (Elbasan), the festival is widely celebrated in Tirana and as far afield as the Arbëresh colonies in Italy. In Tirana many festivities are organized including a city marathon and are generally performed between 9 am and 9 pm. In Rinia Park, a circus show is put on the evenings and is packed with circus performers, acrobats, magicians, and people celebrating the festival. [7]
Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the distance. Due to its location at the Plain of Tirana and the close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the city is particularly influenced by a Mediterranean seasonal climate. It is among the wettest and sunniest cities in Europe, with 2,544 hours of sun per year.
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Fisherman's Village is a waterfront mall, commercial boat anchorage and tourist attraction located in the world's largest man-made small boat harbor in Los Angeles County at Marina del Rey, California. The Ballona Wetlands State Ecological Reserve is just east of Fisherman's Village and immediately to the south is the federally-owned riverine estuary of Ballona Creek. The historical Fisherman's Village, built in 1967, is nestled on the eastern bank of main harbor entrance channel between Whiskey Reds restaurant to the south and the Windward boatyard to the north.
Mother Teresa of Kolkata has been memorialized throughout the world in recognition of her work with the poor. During her lifetime this commemoration often took the form of awards and honorary degrees bestowed upon her. She has also been memorialized through museums and dedications of churches, roads and other structures.
Baku Boulevard is a promenade established in 1909 which runs parallel to Baku's seafront. Its history goes back more than 100 years, to a time when Baku oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian shore and when the seafront was artificially built up inch by inch.
The Skanderbeg Square is the main plaza in the centre of Tirana, Albania. The square is named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. The total area is about 40,000 square metres. The Skanderbeg Monument dominates the square.
The Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic church in Tirana, Albania. Built in 1939 during the Italian invasion of Albania, it is the oldest Catholic church in the city.
The Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard is a major thoroughfare in Tirana, Albania. It was initially designed by Armando Brasini in 1925. Brasini's master plan was later amended by Florestano di Fausto, and in 1939 by Gherardo Bosio following the Italian invasion of Albania.
Tirana railway station was the central railway hub of Tirana, Albania. The railway was connected to other cities in Albania including Vlorë and Durrës. The railway station was said to have no luggage office. On 2 September 2013, the station was closed for passenger and freight transport, and was demolished to make room for a new boulevard that leads over the station area to the north. A completely new district will be created. As a result, the Tirana station was moved to Vorë in 2013, and later to renovated Kashar station in May 2015. The former Kashar-Tiranë line around 10 km in length was replaced with a bus service.
Bajram Curri Boulevard is a major boulevard of Tirana, Albania. It runs in a west–east direction and crosses the city centre south of the central Skanderbeg Square. At Rinia Park it intersects with Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard just south of the square. Towards the east it branches off into Ali Demi Street. In the past, it held the name Shqiperia e Re. The boulevard, along with Zhan D'Ark Boulevard, underwent reconstruction in 2003.
The Zogu I Boulevard or Boulevard Zog I was the first and the only boulevard at that time and is a major boulevard in Tirana, Albania, named after Zog I of Albania, the King of Albania who ruled the country between 1925 and 1939.
Kavajë Street is a major street of Tirana, Albania. It is the most important street of western Tirana and runs west from the central Skanderbeg Square for several kilometres and continues further west to the Adriatic Sea. It is known for its prime real estate and some of the most expensive residential apartments in Tirana. The Universal Hospital Tirana is located along this street. It intersects with Bajram Curri Boulevard.
Dibër Street is a major street in Tirana, Albania. It runs northeast from the central Skanderbeg Square, just south of the Tirana International Hotel. The Mother Teresa Hospital (QSUT) is located on this street.
Ali Demi Street is a major street of Tirana, Albania. It is named after Ali Demi, a World War II hero. It is an important central street of eastern Tirana and branches off the Bajram Curri Boulevard. Several universities and colleges are located along this street. In this street is located the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Taivani or the Taiwan Center, is a restaurant complex, as well as a multifunctional recreation center located in Rinia Park, just south of Skanderbeg Square in downtown Tirana, Albania. Taivani is one of Tirana's most modern and frequented restaurants and spare time facilities. It also includes a well-equipped bowling center. It is known as Taivani or "Taiwan" as it is said to resemble a small island, in the middle of a park.
The Ali Demi neighborhood is a neighborhood located in Tirana, Albania.
Durrës Street is a major street of Tirana, Albania. It is one of the most important street of western Tirana and runs west from the central Skanderbeg Square for several kilometres until it reaches the sea to the north of Durrës.
Hotel Dajti was a hotel near Rinia Park on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard in central Tirana, Albania. Carrying the name of nearby Dajti Mountain, it was the primary center for international visitors and diplomats during Albania's socialist period; the guest rooms were bugged with microphones, and there was a sub-basement floor for listening staff.
The Culture of Tirana concerns the arts, music, museums, festivals and other entertainment in the capital city of Albania. Tirana is one of the country's leading business and cultural centers including entertainment, music, media, fashion, and the arts all contribute to its status as Albania's largest city.
There are many landmarks in Tirana, Albania some of which are of considerable historical or artistic interest. Many monuments and landmarks situated in Tirana, date back to the Illyrian, Roman, Greek and Ottoman periods.
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