An interior designer explores design heritage across three Albanian cities. In Gjirokaster, master carpenter Viktor Nurse reproduces traditional ceiling motifs in modern interiors. Berat's UNESCO-listed Ottoman architecture dates back 2,400 years, while Tirana blends exposed brick and industrial style with contemporary sculptures.
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Albania is completely different. The nature is unreal, with green hills and empty highways offering undisturbed views of the roads and valleys. Maybe because it was the low season. It's unique, honestly. I wanted to come here for the beautiful charming towns, but the stunning natural landscape outshines everything else. I swear, like, Eastern Europe is so different than the West and the Central. I'm not kidding. So freaking cute. Oh, look at the little bébé! Hi guys, welcome to Gjirokaster, Albania. We arrived late last night, it was raining and it was cold. We woke up the next day and guess what? It was still raining. We were seeing these signs to a resort, so we're like, okay, let's go up there, chill for the day. And to our surprise, it was breathtaking beautiful. Let's go and check this place out. As luck would have it, the rain stopped and the sun came up just as we arrived. There was stunning beauty all around us. The resort is a hidden gem, nested on top of a hill surrounded by nature, overlooking the entire town below. The interior was brilliant, with each ceiling telling us a story and showcasing the rare historical beauty of Jirakastur preserved throughout the resort. Everything was handcrafted by locals throughout the region, from the much detailing of wood carvings to the artwork and stonework, with breathtaking views from every corner. This turned out to be one of my favorite towns in Albania. The old town wasn't just charming, it had a soul, a vibe like no other. What first struck me were the beautiful Christmas decorations all around. It was very quiet and I thought to myself, "Where is everybody?" It turned out the next day was the official start of Christmas celebrations. Get ready to shop till you drop. The local market offers beautiful handmade goods at reasonable prices. You'll find vibrant cotton rugs, tablecloths, and other handcrafted items. I bought several pieces myself, and I promise you'll definitely find something to ship home. What do you think about this one?
Spice.
Yeah, okay.
This one?
Yeah, it's very nice. The guy we're about to meet next, his name is Viktor Nurse, and guys, he's not just a carpenter, he's bringing Albania to life again. For me, he's the Picasso of this generation. Let's go and check out his work.
Let's stay in place, which is around the windows and all the room. Yeah, it's short, like 4 or 5 meters.
Oh, the fireplace! Yes, yes, I love the fireplace.
Yeah, that's a symbol which you have done there. Oh, the railing, it's a handle. Yes, scratch the back.
Oh really, back scratcher? Yeah, that is the most unique, I mean, I have ever seen a back scratcher.
And that's a symbol of a donkey there.
Yeah, that's a— it's a donkey on the head? Yeah, at the tip.
It's a lamb, not a donkey.
Sorry, lamb.
Okay, okay.
Previous was lamb, this is a donkey. Ah, okay, very cool. He takes pictures of ceilings and other decorative details and recreates these designs in magical ways throughout the country. Traditional Albanian homes often features handcrafted woodwork, textiles, and stone walls with a strong focus on natural materials. Through his talent, he's preserving the soul of Albania by rebuilding and maintaining old design styles in newly built homes, resorts, hotels, restaurants, and bars.
We call it Mokra. To make the meal. Oh, is it?
Oh yeah, yeah, it's the grinder to grind the wheat, right? Victor took us around Old Town and showed his works of art at several local bars and restaurants. It was a private tour by Picasso of today's world. My day couldn't have gotten better than this because yesterday when I was here, I was like, no, it can't be the bathroom, and it's like, push! Fun fact: even the Prime Minister of Albania has visited his shop. If you are here in summer months, you can take workshops here to learn both traditional and contemporary woodworking techniques by Victor himself. Komitati has a rustic charm, thoughtfully designed to preserve the old architecture. The stone walls bring texture and create a visually pleasing space. It actually takes you to back in days. I love this.
Komi Teti. Komi Teti.
Komi Teti.
Yes.
Komi Teti. Okay, I just want to know that I pronounce things right. Okay, okay. Why do I like to learn how to pronounce names correctly? It's out of respect for the country and its people. And we may not be perfect every single time, guys, but it goes a long way and it feels really good to say it correctly.
The size to the war.
Yes, no, I do see that it's from the war.
It's from over there.
Yeah. It's not a car, but it's Oh yes, I know, I know, for the fields, right? Yes, yes, for the field. Farmers used to use these.
Yes, for farming.
Yes, yes, for farming.
Yes, I, I know my grandfather has one.
Yeah, yeah, no, it's, it's very cool. You guys did something really unique here. I loved meeting the staff here. They were friendly and helpful, taking lots of time to show us around and explaining why certain design elements were chosen for the bar. They also showed us many wartime artifacts that were used as decorations. It was a super interesting approach to designing a space that I had never seen before. It was our last night before driving to Beirut, our next destination, and we spent our time enjoying the local concert and Christmas celebrations.
Happy Christmas!
Why am I going to Berat? I am going to Berat because it's the town that made me want to visit Albania in the first place. Known as the City of Thousand Windows due to its Ottoman-style architecture featuring rows of large windows of houses built into the hillside. That's a church on top of the mountain. The houses here overlook both river and mountain views. The city is built vertically on a hill, homes appearing to be stacked one above the other. It's actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pretty cool, right? You can see amazing Ottoman-style architecture here that you won't find anywhere else. Berat is one of Albania's oldest cities, with people living here for more than 2,400 years, thanks to its special location and beautiful buildings, it's an important meeting point for different cultures throughout its history. Tirana, the capital of Albania. I was definitely very excited to be in a bigger city after spending about few weeks in smaller towns, and you'll see why I think Tirana is absolutely stunning. As an interior designer, I find Tirana beautifully blends old and new design elements. Its exposed brick pathways and buildings perfectly complemented by modern outdoor metal sculptures. These elements add a nice touch to the charming, vibrant capital, which is thriving with design features from sleek modern sculptures to industrial-style architecture throughout the city. The blending of old and new is evident in many of Tirana's cafes and restaurants, where vintage furniture alongside contemporary pieces. Coming across the Tirana International Trade Fair with local vendors from across the country was a nice surprise to end our trip in Albania. Guys, after this trip, Albania is among my top 5 favorite countries because of its people and their kindness. For me, kindness is important, and kindness in people is what gives a country its soul. With its natural beauty and wealth of interior design inspiration, The only question I would ask, why haven't you visited Albania yet? Albania, ciao for now! Till next time. And back to you guys. Guys, if you are watching these videos and I'm not seeing you liking or subscribing, please do that. It helps our channel. Till next time, ciao for now!
