Tirana, 106 years the capital of Albania

2026-02-11 09:36:00, Aktualitet CNA

The highest organs of the Albanian state, which emerged in 1920 from the Congress of Lushnja (January 21-31, 1920), were established on February 11, 1920 in Tirana, which was temporarily designated the capital of Albania, and Tirana was finally declared the capital with the statute of the Albanian Republic in January 1925.

After 1920, the population began to grow with residents coming from other provinces and cities in the country.

On February 11, 1920, the people of Tirana enthusiastically welcomed the Supreme Council and the Government, which was established in the very building where the people of Tirana had raised the flag in 1912.

The high authorities of the Albanian state who left the Congress, on their march (which began on February 6), passed through Kavajë and, unable to enter Durrës, which was occupied by Italian forces, turned towards Shijak, to arrive in Tirana.

The reasons for deciding to head towards Tirana were:
- The absence of foreign (occupying) forces,
- the geographical position in the center of the country,
- the often-demonstrated patriotism of the population of the region, and
- the presence of several buildings that could be used as offices.

In this dangerous journey, the Minister of the Interior, Ahmet Zogu, who had his armed supporters, played a key role. According to the memories of contemporaries, it was his steadfastness in the face of Italian forces (who attempted to stop the elected representatives in Lushnje) that was the key moment for the success of this undertaking.

Upon arriving in Tirana, the High Council and the government, on February 11, 1920, amidst popular enthusiasm, declared it the temporary capital.

In 1922, Tirana was separated as a sub-prefecture from the prefecture of Durrës and became a prefecture in its own right. In 1923, it had 12,453 inhabitants.

In 1924, Tirana became the arena of internal political struggle - the June Revolution and the return of Ahmet Zog, who was placed at the head of state, first as president of the Presidential Republic (1925-1928) and then as king (1928-1939).

The date February 11, the date on which Tirana was declared the temporary capital, is of primary importance in our national history; this choice is closely linked to the intense patriotic activity of the people of Tirana, before and after independence.