Pyramid of Tirana
The Enver Hoxha Museum (Albanian Muzeu " Enver Hoxha ", later International Cultural Centre, Albanian Qendra Ndërkombëtare e Kultures called ) is an account opened on October 16, 1988 Building in downtown Tirana in Albania. The former museum was dedicated to the longstanding national leader Enver Hoxha. The building of white marble, glass, steel and red, reminiscent at first glance to a pyramid and therefore usually also known as (Albanian Piramida ) was designed by Hoxha's daughter Pranvera and planned and built in two years.
The pyramid is located at a very central location on the boulevard Deshmoret e Kombit and Lana in a small park. The for that time monumental construction acting impressed by its size and unconventional appearance long the center of the city and was an expression of the personality cult of Hoxha. On the top of the building was emblazoned at the beginning of an illuminated Red Star, from the facade along the red light of searchlights was broadcast. The facade was covered with bright marble slabs - later in children a popular slide.
The exhibition of the museum was on three floors the lives of Enver Hoxha and his influence on the younger Albanian history. On display were a lot of photos, but for example also vehicles from his possession. New for that time - in Albania - were presented the detailed footage and an attached computer's documentation center. Also housed in the house was a small library and a café.
"Before February 1991, it contained more or less everything did Hoxha ever touched or used, and in the center was a marble sitting statue of Hoxha by Kristaq Rama. "
"In February 1991 it included more or less everything Hoxha ever touched or used. And in the center was a seated marble statue of Hoxha, the Kristaq Rama had designed. "
After the end of the communist regime in Albania, the museum, impressive monument to the former dictator was transformed: Officially called the International Cultural Centre, it served as a conference and exhibition center for different occasions. Even offices of international organizations, a bar and a disco were housed therein. In 2000, a peace bell was erected in the park in front of the building, which was cast from collected in Albania cartridge cases and is reminiscent of the riots in 1997.
In December 2010, the Parliament of Albania approved with 71 votes to 64 at a construction project, which envisages to demolish the building and on the ground to build the new complex of the Parliament, which had vied to a total of 25 architectural firms. Even before the marble slabs have been removed on the facade.
Some leading foreign architects and politicians from the opposition Socialists do not agree: To the demolition of a political controversy arose. The historian Ardian Klosi could collect a petition for the Albanian Parliament around 6000 signatures of opponents to prevent demolition. But for now, the government stuck to their plan. The tender for the 110 million euro project won the Vienna Architecture Studio Coop Himmelb (l) au in March 2011. The new building should be completed on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Albania on 28 November 2012. To date (July 2013), however, have not yet occurred demolition work.