This Page is missing information about History and Symbols of Tirana. Please expand the Page to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.(July 2021)
The Tirana coat of arms, also known as the Shield of Tirana, is the coat of arms of Tirana, features a shield with a clock tower and lion beneath a castle. The coat of arms was approved by the city council on November 14, 2000.[1] Based on the principles of the blazoning it features Per pale Gules and Azure, dexter a Clock Tower Argent, sinister a lion rampant Argent, in chief a fleur-de-lis Or. Above the shield, a representation of Tirana Castle proper.
History
Skuraj Coat of arms
The Skuraj family, a prominent medieval Albanian feudal dynasty, held sway over the region of Benda in central Albania.[2] Rising to prominence in the Byzantine Theme of Dyrrhachium, they attained high military-administrative ranks within the Byzantine state apparatus.[3] Interwoven with local Albanian nobility and major regional powers such as the Angevin Kingdom of Albania and the Ottoman Empire, the Skura family's influence extended across political and dynastic spheres.[4]
Early attestations of the Skura date back to the 13th century, with familial tombs and inscriptions showcasing their high rank and status.[5] Notable figures like Progonos Sgouros left indelible marks, founding churches and halting military expansions in the region. The family's ties with the Angevins and subsequent vassalage under Philip I of Taranto underscored their political savvy and diplomatic acumen.
Branches of the Skura family expanded into northern Albania, leaving their emblematic mark in places like Lezhë. Following the Ottoman conquest, some branches integrated into the Ottoman state, contributing to conquests and holding high positions such as beylerbey of Anatolia. [6][7][8]
The heraldic emblem of the family was uncovered in Kodër Marlekaj. It features a lion in an upright stance, grasping a lily in the upper right corner. Additionally, there are two dangling cords adorned with lilies at their ends, along with a fragmentary Latin inscription.[9]
Tirana Clock Tower
The Clock Tower of Tirana, built in 1822 by Et'hem bey Mollaj, stands as a symbol of the city's history.[10] Rising to 35 meters, it once held the distinction of being the tallest building in Tirana.[11] With 90 spiral steps leading to its top, the tower houses a bell from Venice and a notable clock mechanism installed by watchmaker Ismail Tufina.[12] Despite facing damages during World War I and II, the tower underwent renovations, including the installation of a new mechanism in 1928, funded by the city's affluent families and the Municipality of Tirana. The tower became a cultural monument of first category, recognized in 1948. Today, it continues to attract visitors, serving as a testament to Tirana's enduring heritage.
Tirana Castle
The Fortress of Justinian, also known as Tirana Castle, stands as a historic landmark in Tirana, Albania. Its origins trace back to pre-1300, harking back to the Byzantine era. Positioned at the vital juncture of east-west and north-south routes, it once served as the nucleus of Tirana. Presently, efforts are underway to restore this fortress for tourism, with three prominent towers identified within its precincts.[13] Although much of the fortress has succumbed to time, a 6-meter-high Ottoman-era wall, adorned with climbing vines, persists above ground.Recognizing its significance, the Castle of Tirana was granted the status of a first-category cultural monument on June 10, 1973, while the newly unearthed walls were similarly honored on May 15, 2008.[14]
