Slideshow: Hoxha’s Pyramid

By ⋅ August 2, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment
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Hoxha Pyramid (Photo: Jodi Hilton)

Hoxha Pyramid (Photo: Jodi Hilton)

We’re in search of a pyramid for the Geo Quiz this time. It’s not in Egypt but in Eastern Europe, about a thousand miles away.

Like the Egyptian pyramids, this landmark was built to honor a leader. He was a communist dictator who who headed an oppressive regime. The leader’s been dead for 18 years and the pyramid is in ruins. There are plans to tear down the landmark and build a government building in its place.

Still don’t know where we are? Here are more clues:

The mystery city is the capital of Eastern Europe’s last communist government. And the country was known as the hermit of the Eastern Bloc, hostile to both NATO and the Warsaw pact. It turned its back on China after President Nixon’s breakthrough visit to Beijing in 1972 – because China was turning bourgeoise.

What’s the name of this European capital city with one prominent pyramid?

The answer is Tirana, Albania and the landmark was built as a museum for the late Enver Hoxha. The Albanian leader kept Stalinism alive in Europe for decades after the Soviet dictator died in 1953. The pyramid is still standing but it’s starting to crumble.

In fact, during bloody anti-government demonstrations in Tirana back in February protestors broke off pieces of the pyramid to throw at other government buildings.

Albanians have been trying to figure out what to do with the pyramid for years. Just last month, the parliament passed a law to tear it down. Even so, opponents of the demolition are gathering petitions to save the building. And the current president is deciding whether to sign the bill or side with the protesters.

From Tirana, Matthew Brunwasser gives us a tour of the controversial pyramid.

Discussion

11 comments for “Slideshow: Hoxha’s Pyramid”

  • Juan Rodriguez

    Great photos! Love to see history from other country’s too bad it will be gone people should have the last word on what to do about it.

  • http://twitter.com/cjwashburn Charles Washburn

    This looks like an angular version on Ney York’s Guggenheim Museum.  It’s history is most interesting and it should be saved as a part of history and a resource for understanding the human experience

  • Anonymous

    As a matter of clarification, the protestors in February who took off pieces of the pyramid did so because they were grabbing whatever they could to throw at the police.  They were not making any sort of statement about the pyramid or Hoxha.  The protest was about a completely different issue.  Also, the pyramid was built while Hoxha was still alive.  It was not a posthumous commemoration.  The picture of the burnt car in front of the pyramid was from the protest mentioned above.  It was, again, not related to the pyramid or its significance.  In recent years, the pyramid has been used as a concert hall, a meeting place for various fairs, etc.

    • http://www.facebook.com/jodihilton Jodi Hilton

      You are correct. The photo sequence was shot a few days after a demonstration in which cars were torched and people used tiles from the pyramid to attack police. The pyramid, in my opinion, is symbolic of many of yesterday and today’s tensions in Tirana, including this year’s unrest and the struggle to either remember or forget the country’s past. That’s why we decided to include those images in the slideshow. 

  • Anonymous

    As a matter of clarification, the protestors in February who took off pieces of the pyramid did so because they were grabbing whatever they could to throw at the police.  They were not making any sort of statement about the pyramid or Hoxha.  The protest was about a completely different issue.  Also, the pyramid was built while Hoxha was still alive.  It was not a posthumous commemoration.  The picture of the burnt car in front of the pyramid was from the protest mentioned above.  It was, again, not related to the pyramid or its significance.  In recent years, the pyramid has been used as a concert hall, a meeting place for various fairs, etc.

  • Anonymous

    There’s no such thing as a communist pyramid. They should restore it and use it as an art museum and/or for all sorts of events. Is there any reason to visit Tirana? Cities all around the world want unique structures to attract visitors and citizens alike. This could be Tirana’s first of many attractions. “Cold War” town just doesn’t cut it anymore.

  • Anonymous

    There’s no such thing as a communist pyramid. They should restore it and use it as an art museum and/or for all sorts of events. Is there any reason to visit Tirana? Cities all around the world want unique structures to attract visitors and citizens alike. This could be Tirana’s first of many attractions. “Cold War” town just doesn’t cut it anymore.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TYZJAXX62AZA2YKZKOK5VSNVX4 Michael

    Thank you for your story of Tirana’s Pyramid!  Was I ever excited to be able to answer the GeoQuiz!  My parents came over from Albania, and I have been there several times.  The pyramid, it is my understanding, was designed by Enver Hoxha’s daughter, Pranvera, who was an architect. Also, the impression form my family that lives there is that the structure was and is quite the White Elephant.  I can completely understand razing it and placing a new Parliament Building in its place – think Bundestag in Berlin.WIthin the new building there can be commemoration of the pyramid.  With the thoughtful reporting of such a little-known country, you have a fan for life!  

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Beth-Erickson/1661327689 Beth Erickson

    I like the story about Tirana’s pyramid, but even better was the one about Chicago’s Tribune Building; and best of all is Lisa Mullins, who narrates the program with intelligence, wit, good humor, and articulate grace. She has many faithful admirers who wish her well.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Beth-Erickson/1661327689 Beth Erickson

    I like the story about Tirana’s pyramid, but even better was the one about Chicago’s Tribune Building; and best of all is Lisa Mullins, who narrates the program with intelligence, wit, good humor, and articulate grace. She has many faithful admirers who wish her well.

  • Anonymous

    Used to enjoy watching the kids ride bikes and slide on anything down form the top when I lived in Tirane. Also, attended a couple of weddings in there. Whilst it may harp back to Enver Hoxha, as his daughter did design it as a monument and museum to her father, I do think that the last thing Albania needs is wasting millions on a new parliament building, when they still have thousands of people in desperate need of jobs and decent living conditions. This is just a an idea by Sali Berisha to make him look good. 

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