Hotel Internacional, Historical hotel in Tirana, Albania
Hotel Internacional is a modern high-rise building from 1979 with 15 floors and a height of approximately 56 meters. The facade features ice-white marble and prefabricated concrete panels that give the structure its distinctive appearance.
The building was constructed in 1979 on the site of a former Orthodox cathedral and was Albania's tallest structure during the communist period. Its construction marked a turning point in the capital's modern urban development.
The building was designed by architect Valentina Pistoli and shows how the city moved away from Soviet influences toward contemporary standards. Its white marble and concrete exterior remains a defining feature of the urban landscape.
The hotel sits at the intersection of Zogu I Boulevard and Dibër Street in central Tirana. The National History Museum and Palace of Culture are within easy walking distance from this location.
The building contains underground tunnels that were designed not for fire safety but as escape routes specifically for high-ranking Politburo members. These hidden passages reveal the security concerns of the ruling elite during that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
