Independence Monument

The monument, which is located in Rinia Park near the capital’s major avenue, was inaugurated on November 28, 2012 as a symbol of Albania’s century of independence. The sculpture, which stands 6.5 meters tall, 5.5 meters wide, and weighs 15 tons, was made in Austria by artists Visar Obrija and Kai Kiklas. This monument represents the Albanian people’s resilience through tough times and battles.

It is designed in the form of an open tower, signifying Albania’s opening toward freedom. “It depicts two forms that, when combined, form an open-air, spherical tower.” The ceiling is one portion, while the floor is the other. When they are joined together, they form a rectangular tower. Looking at the first half, the visitor gets the image of persecution and isolation of the Albanian people, whereas the floor tower echoes liberation and independence,’ adds the artist Obrija.

This sign also serves as a tribute to all of the warriors who battled for Albanian freedom. The statue of Ismail Qemali, who raised the flag in Vlora in 1912 to announce Albania’s independence, is located on the same Boulevard, near the Post Blloku Monument.