Mustafa Lleshi Street
Encyclopedia
Mustafa Lleshi Street is a pedestrian only street in Tirana
, the capital of Albania
. It is named after Mustafa Lleshi
, a World War II
Albanian hero.
The student protests of 1990 followed Mustafa Lleshi Street into the city center.
At the intersection of Pjeter Budi Street
and Mustafa Lleshi Street, there once stood a giant olive tree, and the corner was known as "Ulliri" (Olive in English). Many people today still know the area by this name, although have never seen the tree.
It is said that prior to 1990, residents could list every neighbour living within the vicinity by first name.
and continues as a pedestrian only walkway until merging with Pjetër Budi Street
, which continues to the Student City . It is a major pedestrian thoroughfare, and is also used by cyclists and motorcycles.
It is a narrow walkway, yet is traveled by thousands of people daily, mostly young people. Before and after weekends and holidays, the street is often full of students wheeling suitcases back and forth from their homes outside of Tirana and their home in Tirana at the Student City and beyond to Farke.
Most businesses remain open all week from 7am-10pm, however some do close on Sunday.
, Pogradec
and Elbasan
wait close to the intersection of Mustafa Lleshi Street and the Elbasan Street, while city buses pass by regularly. Cycling is a popular way to get around, and the area is within easy walking distance of Skanderbeg Square
, Qemal Stafa Stadium, The ish-Blloku
and the Student City. The Tirana Backpacker Hostel is located less than 1 minute away.
Mustafa Lleshi Street intersects with Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri Street
, Pjetër Budi Street
and Elbasan Street
.
Many local businesses and residents have begun placing their own waste bins for pedestrians, and have begun a neighbourhood campaign to educate passers-by on proper waste disposal.
Street, forcing residents to re-submit all property documents for updating. Many residents now living on Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri still refer to their street as Mustafa Lleshi.
Some residents have proposed that the street should be re-named as Rruga Besim Zekthi, a celebrated dancer and People's Artist of Albania
from the area, as the war hero Mustafa Lleshi has nothing to do with the neighborhood.
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, the capital of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. It is named after Mustafa Lleshi
Mustafa Lleshi
Mustafa Lleshi was an Albanian anti-fascist hero of World War II.Mustafa Lleshi Street, a street in Tirana, the capital of Albania, is named in his honor.-References:...
, a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Albanian hero.
History
Prior to the 1990s, the area was largely villas, fields, and fruit orchards. With the reintroduction of private property in Albania, many villas were sold and demolished to build apartment buildings. The area has retained several of the older villas, though they remain hidden behind walls, shrubs and vines. Cars were not common in those times, and as such the introduction of cars has led to the removal of sidewalks in the area, but Mustafa Lleshi Street has remained a pedestrian only walkway.The student protests of 1990 followed Mustafa Lleshi Street into the city center.
At the intersection of Pjeter Budi Street
Pjetër Budi Street
Pjetër Budi Street is a street in Tirana, the capital of Albania. It is named after Pjetër Budi, a 17th century bishop in the district of Shkodër. It is the main road leading to the Student City and although there are often no sidewalks it is a major pedestrian thoroughfare...
and Mustafa Lleshi Street, there once stood a giant olive tree, and the corner was known as "Ulliri" (Olive in English). Many people today still know the area by this name, although have never seen the tree.
It is said that prior to 1990, residents could list every neighbour living within the vicinity by first name.
Use
It begins at the Elbasan StreetElbasan Street
Elbasan Street is a major street of Tirana, Albania. It is the most important street of southern Tirana leading to national road SH3 and European Route E852. It eventually leads to Elbasan. The US Embassy in Tirana is located on Elbasan Street....
and continues as a pedestrian only walkway until merging with Pjetër Budi Street
Pjetër Budi Street
Pjetër Budi Street is a street in Tirana, the capital of Albania. It is named after Pjetër Budi, a 17th century bishop in the district of Shkodër. It is the main road leading to the Student City and although there are often no sidewalks it is a major pedestrian thoroughfare...
, which continues to the Student City . It is a major pedestrian thoroughfare, and is also used by cyclists and motorcycles.
It is a narrow walkway, yet is traveled by thousands of people daily, mostly young people. Before and after weekends and holidays, the street is often full of students wheeling suitcases back and forth from their homes outside of Tirana and their home in Tirana at the Student City and beyond to Farke.
Shops
Food and drink shops consist of byrek stands, fruit markets, pizza and fast food, cafes, pubs, bakeries and mini markets. Clothing and accessory shops are abundant, and range from used vintage clothing to modern and trendy fashions, shoes, jewelry, perfume and cosmetics. There are also sports-bets and computer services, as well as pharmacies, tailors, general repairs shops, artist studios and an arts management studio.Most businesses remain open all week from 7am-10pm, however some do close on Sunday.
Getting around
Parking is available at the start of the street, at the Elbasan Street. Taxis, as well as Mini-vans travelling from KorçëKorçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
, Pogradec
Pogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
and Elbasan
Elbasan
Elbasan is a city in central Albania. It is located on the Shkumbin River in the District of Elbasan and the County of Elbasan, at...
wait close to the intersection of Mustafa Lleshi Street and the Elbasan Street, while city buses pass by regularly. Cycling is a popular way to get around, and the area is within easy walking distance of Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square is a the main plaza of Tirana, Albania named in 1968 after the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. A Skanderbeg Monument can be found in the plaza.-History:...
, Qemal Stafa Stadium, The ish-Blloku
Ish-Blloku
Ish-Blloku or commonly known as Blloku is an upmarket area in Tirana, Albania. It is part of the neighbourhood of Tirana e Re and is noted as a entertainment and shopping destination, with its many boutiques, shops, restaurants, trendy bars, pubs, and cafes.Before the 1950s, a number of factories...
and the Student City. The Tirana Backpacker Hostel is located less than 1 minute away.
Mustafa Lleshi Street intersects with Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri Street
Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri Street
Xhavid Sheqyri Demneri Street is a street in Tirana. It was formerly known as Mustafa Lleshi Street It was given this name in 2010, to honour Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri, an Albanian football hero.-Name change:...
, Pjetër Budi Street
Pjetër Budi Street
Pjetër Budi Street is a street in Tirana, the capital of Albania. It is named after Pjetër Budi, a 17th century bishop in the district of Shkodër. It is the main road leading to the Student City and although there are often no sidewalks it is a major pedestrian thoroughfare...
and Elbasan Street
Elbasan Street
Elbasan Street is a major street of Tirana, Albania. It is the most important street of southern Tirana leading to national road SH3 and European Route E852. It eventually leads to Elbasan. The US Embassy in Tirana is located on Elbasan Street....
.
Municipal and State service issues
Like elsewhere in Tirana, residents suffer from lack of, or poor services. Despite the number of people using the street, it remains in a state of disrepair, and waste removal is minimal. Residents have done much of the repairs themselves, including digging up and repairing water pipes and re-paving sections. Public service invoices and bills are often left by government workers at mini markets and cafes instead of being personally delivered to residents.Many local businesses and residents have begun placing their own waste bins for pedestrians, and have begun a neighbourhood campaign to educate passers-by on proper waste disposal.
Name change controversy
In the spring of 2010, Tirana officials began ordering that all streets must have visible name signs. Without warning or consultation with the community, a large section of Mustafa Lleshi Street was changed to Xhavit Shyqyri DemneriXhavit Shyqyri Demneri
Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri was an Albanian football hero. He was born in 1919 and died in 1996. Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri Street, a street in Tirana, the capital of Albania, is named in his honor....
Street, forcing residents to re-submit all property documents for updating. Many residents now living on Xhavit Shyqyri Demneri still refer to their street as Mustafa Lleshi.
Some residents have proposed that the street should be re-named as Rruga Besim Zekthi, a celebrated dancer and People's Artist of Albania
People's Artist of Albania
People's Artist of Albania was an honorary title for the decoration of outstanding art performers of People's Socialist Republic of Albania, whose merits were exceptional in the sphere of development of the performing arts . It was created by law in 1960 and amended in 1980. The title was no longer...
from the area, as the war hero Mustafa Lleshi has nothing to do with the neighborhood.
Notable residents
- Besim Zekthi - Dancer, Artist of the People
- Ferid BerberiFerid BerberiFerid Berberi is an Albanian sportsman. He broke 37 National weightlifting records as an athlete and was a National Champion for 7 years from 1961-1973. As a trainer, notable students he has helped develop include Pyrros Dimas, Alexander Kondo and Ilir Suli...
- Former Weightlifter