Mother Teresa Square (Tirana)
| Mother Teresa Square | |
|---|---|
| Public square | |
| Sheshi Nënë Tereza | |
 The square seen from the Archeological Museum Building | |
| Design: | Gherardo Bosio |
| Dedicated to: | Mother Teresa |
| Location: | Tirana, Albania |
Mother Teresa Square (Albanian: Sheshi Nënë Tereza) is the second largest square in Tirana, Albania and also one of the most popular landmarks of Tirana. It is named after the Albanian-Indian[1] Roman Catholic nun, missionary and nobelist,[2] who won the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. On 4 September 2016, she was canonised. In Albania the Mother Teresa Day (Dita e Nënë Terezës), is a public holiday, celebrated on October 19 .
History
It was planned by the Italian architect Gherardo Bosio and built together with the main Boulevard in 1939-41, during the Italian occupation of Albania, in Rationalist style. When first constructed, it was named the Victor Emmanuel III Square in honor of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.[3]
It is located on the north end of the Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard and important buildings are found on this square. The rectorate building of the Tirana University and the Polytechnic University of Tirana are found on the square, together with the University of Arts of Albania, the Archeological Museum of Albania and the Centre of Albanological Studies.
On 1980 a fountain was placed on the middle of the square and after the Fall of communism in Albania it was named after Mother Teresa and a statue of her was placed on the east side of the square. Both the statue and the fountain were later removed, after the restoration of the square on 2014 caused by the preparations for the Pope Francis visit in Tirana. Today it is a pedestrian zone, mostly used for different activites and concerts by the Municipality of Tirana.[4]
Notable buildings
- University of Arts of Albania
- Polytechnic University of Tirana
- Archeological Museum of Albania
- Centre of Albanological Studies
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360° panoramic view of Mother Teresa Square by night with University of Tirana campus at the center
References
- ↑ Cannon, Mae Elise (25 January 2013). Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action. InterVarsity Press. p. 19. ISBN 9780830837755. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
When asked about her personal history, Mother Teresa said: 'By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.'
- ↑ Poplin, Mary (28 January 2011). Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service. InterVarsity Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0830834723.
Remember, brother, I am a missionary and so are you
- ↑ http://www.reporter.al/galeri/risistemimi-i-sheshit-nene-tereza-papa-francesco/
- ↑ http://koha.net/?id=4&l=30359
Coordinates: 41°19′04″N 19°49′17″E / 41.3179°N 19.8213°E