Visual arts Culture of Albania

the monument of agonothetes in apollonia.

architecture of albania 1 of important evidence of albanian history, culture , identity. has origins in antiquity, richly revealed archaeological finds. has kept original features , has been enriched illyrian, roman, ancient greek, byzantine, venetian, ottoman , western elements.

the history of architecture in country 1 begins neolithic age discovery of prehistoric dwelling , sancient styles of ancient illyrians, romans , greeks, revival of byzantine era. in 5th century bc, roman colonies of apollonia , dyrrachium flourished, while number of illyrian cities emerged such byllis, shkodër, amantia, dimali, albanopolis, , lissus. during middle ages variety of architecture styles developed in form of dwelling, defense, worship, , engineering structures. inherited historic structures damaged invading ottoman forces.

in 13th century, consolidation of albanian principalities gave rise varosha , or neighborhoods outside city walls. examples of such developments arbëreshë principalities centred in petrele, krujë , gjirokastra originating feudal castle.

the roman amphitheatre in durrës 2nd century ad.

in 18th century, great pashaliks of period such bushati family, ahmet kurt pasha, , ali pashe tepelena reconstructed several fortifications such castle of shkodra, berat, , tepelena respectively. important note ali pashe tepelena embarked on major castle building campaign throughout epirus. first half of 20th century begins austro-hungarian occupation, continues fan noli’s government, king zog’s kingdom, , ends italian invasion. during time, albanian medieval towns underwent urban transformations austro-hungarian architects, giving them appearance of european cities.

the period after fall of communism described negatively in terms of urban development. kiosks , apartment buildings started occupy former public areas without planning, while informal districts formed around cities internal migrants leaving remote rural areas western lowland. decreasing urban space , increased traffic congestion have become major problems result of lack of planning.

painting


albanian icon onufri 15th century in berat.

albanian art has long , eventful history dating antiquity. albania, country of southeastern europe, has unique culture of other european countries. ottoman empire ruled on albania 5 centuries, affected country s artwork , artistic forms. after albania s joining ottoman empire in 1478, ottoman influenced art forms such mosaics , muralpaintings became prevalent, , no real artistic change occurred until albanian liberation in 1912.

following mosaics , murals of antiquity , middle ages, first paintings icons byzantine orthodox tradition. albanian earliest icons date late 13th century , estimated artistic peak reached in 18th century. among prominent representatives of albanian iconographic art onufri , david selenica. museums of berat, korçë , tirana collections remaining icons. end of ottoman period, painting limited folk art , ornate mosques.

paintings , sculpture arose in first half of 20th century , reached modest peak in 1930s , 1940s, when first organized art exhibitions @ national level. contemporary albanian artwork captures struggle of everyday albanians, new artists utilizing different artistic styles convey message. albanian artists continue move art forward, while art still remains distinctively albanian in content. though among albanian artist post-modernism introduced, there number of artists , works known internationally. among famous albanian post-modernist considered anri sala, sislej xhafa, , helidon gjergji.