TOP 10 things to do in Korce, Albania

The Little Paris of Albania, the city of love, the city of serenades..

You will understand why. Korca, or Korce, (Korcha, or Korchuh) has long been influenced by Francophone culture, especially since the opening of the French Lyceum in the twentieth century, but there is something in its entirety, in architecture, in the cobbled streets, in the windows with pots of colorful flowers, in cafes and warm and in the eyes of the people.

The peace of a quiet and hospitable city. A heart-shaped city as its poets say, but also a hearth of knowledge. Korca is remembered for the opening of the first Albanian school in 1887 and is still a cradle that raises important Albanian figures.

A city that opens its doors to the explorers and is much loved by tourists. 

Still not convinced? Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Korca this year:

The Cathedral of Korca

Or as it is otherwise called, the “Resurrection of Christ” cathedral. It is one of the favorite points of the citizens of Korça but also of foreign tourists. More than $ 2.5 million was spent on its construction. The cathedral was built in 1992 and belongs to the Orthodox faith. Due to its size, it is considered the most important in Korca and the largest in Albania. Once upon a time in the same place, there was another cathedral called St. George’s Cathedral, a building of historical importance, which during the anti-religious campaigns of 1968 was totally destroyed in its existence. This cathedral has an extremely high appreciation by the citizens of Korca and has become a symbol, a means of identification for Korca.

2. Mesenjetorja Musem, Albania’s first language school

Korca School, known as Mesenjetorja, is the first Albanian language school. It was opened on March 7, 1887, the house offered for teaching by Diamanti Terpo. This building is today the national museum of education. The opening of this school in terms of character had democratic features, as it taught children of all walks of life, poor and rich. This school had a preparatory class as well as four regular classes. The subjects were writing, reading, the grammar of the Albanian language, history, geography, arithmetic, natural knowledge, and physical education. The opening of the school was an event and a great victory for the whole national movement.

3. Republika Boulevard

For a long time, this has been the most famous boulevard in all of Albania because of a song that local artists have dedicated to, which talks about the beautiful girls of Korca who walk on this boulevard and greet the boys they meet. Today it is one of the main arteries of the passage in the city because it connects the Cathedral of Korca with the largest Stadium of the city named Skenderbeu, after Albania’s national hero. Along the boulevard, you will find hotels, guest houses, boutiques, bars, restaurants, offices, and beauty salons. This important route is the first destination where everyone wants to go. And of course, you can’t forget the importance of this boulevard as part of the ‘xhiro’, or the daily evening walk that’s become a ritual for all Albanians.

4. Gjon Mili Museum

Dedicated to the figure of the Korca photographer who has touched the covers of world magazines with his unique technique of light photography, has added a new cultural attraction to the citizens of Korca. In the ‘Gjon Mili Museum’ you’ll find about 240 photographs of the world master of photography of Albanian origin Gjon Mili, sayings of him or other people, who have expressed for him, exhibitors with elements from his life, or the time he lived. The artist who photographed Picasso is there waiting for you to discover his artwork.

5. The Lawn of Tears (Lendina e Loteve)

The history of the name of this subject dates back 200 or 300 years ago according to folklore. It is said that this was the place where mothers accompanied their sons who were leaving in exile and cried for the separation from their loved ones because they did not know if they would see them again. This lawn is today a seemingly normal park, but surely over the centuries, it has seen people who are probably separated forever, and let’s hope that it has also seen people who met again.

courtyards are filled with vases of flowers, as are the large windows, beyond which are embroidered curtains. Korca is lucky that the locals have known how to preserve the tradition and maintain the city in the old style.

7. Visit the Old Bazaar

Korca Bazaar is the pulsating heart of the city. Recently renovated, it is the epicenter of tourists who want to enjoy the typical architecture, try Korca cuisine, listen to local music or have a cocktail party in a cheerful environment full of young people.

8. National Museum of Medieval Art

The National Museum of Medieval Art opens its doors to visitors. With a fund of 8000 icons and objects of a religious character, the National Museum of Medieval Art is located in the new building where dozens of works are exhibited in the halls of this museum center, one of the most important in Albania. The National Museum of Medieval Art, thanks to its contemporary construction, is one of the most important destinations of our cultural heritage. Positioned along the ‘Fan Noli’ Boulevard, this museum is not only a visual exhibition of values but also a unique institution in the region.

9. Listen and try to sing a serenade

Korca serenades are characteristic lyrical songs that are sung accompanied by guitar. With them, Korca has become famous throughout Albania. Serenades are known for the sweetness of subtle feelings and the original way they sing to love. They are sung under the windows of the beautiful Korca girls, near the railings of the flower yards, and around tables full of traditional food and drink. Serenades flourished in the 1930s, yet they continue to be sung today in every Korca family or with live music bars and restaurants.

10. Taste the delicious food

Korca is famous for its traditional cooking and delicious dishes. You should not miss the “lakror”, typical Albanian pie with phyllo dough, the cooking of carp fish which is found in Prespa Lake, the famous “cironkas” (sardine) as well as the cooking of wild animals and birds. The characteristic dishes of Korca are ‘petanik’ with beans, cabbage, intestines, pie with milk, kernacka (cevapi), etc. Vithkuqi is mentioned for its famous nuts and tea, for its roasted meat and dairy. In Dardhe you should not walk away without trying the famous cabbage with two noodles. Very special and delicious are the bell peppers, snails, local mushrooms, and bacori, or pie with corn flour. You can not leave without trying the famous beer of Korca, the first beer in Albania.