One of the things that we are most proud of in Albania is without a doubt our religious tolerance. Since we have been through a rough communist period, where any form of religious practice was literally banned (by the Constitution!), we have learned to appreciate the freedom of religion more than anyone else. In this regard, what is very interesting to see in Tirana is definitely the Odeon of the Muslim Bektashi community. I have to specify that this is the world centre of all of Bektashism, since they were banned from Turkey more than 100 years ago and found refuge in our beautiful mountains.

In their premises I could enjoy the marvellous rose gardens which are breathtaking during spring, the tall and quiet Odeon, which is supposed to be a sort of mosque, although without a minaret, and the museum of Bektashism, which explains all the story of the sect, their predecessors and the Albanian leaders and which sums up nicely and clearly the mind-blowing story of how Tirana ended up being their world centre.

Bektashism is a very quiet and peaceful Muslim division and I could really feel this in the air. Their premises are the best place to relax, breathe some fresh air and learn something new.