These abundant, over-the-top monuments are so widely scattered that they define the entire compact capital cityscape, often leading to jokes about whether there are more statues than residents.

This fortress dates back to the 6th century and is also the site of a controversial abandoned restoration project.

A historical puzzle lies at the origins of this structure.

See how paper is made the old-fashioned way.

This ominous Albanian fortress houses tanks and downed planes as a reminder of their victories over Western imperialism.

This beautifully preserved Ottoman house is steeped in history.

A naturally beautiful, seemingly bottomless deep blue spring.

A scenic UNESCO site that doubles as a habitat for various forms of wildlife.

The largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkans once held over 20,000 people, but managed to lay hidden for hundreds of years.

One of the best examples of a Byzantine period monument in Albania.

An Albanian monument to the Communism that nearly crushed the country is now a crumbling wreck.

In the heart of Tirana, this underground nuclear bunker has been transformed into a museum.

A museum dedicated to secret surveillance.

A temple dedicated to the 13th-century Alevi Turkish dervish credited with bringing Islam to the Balkans.

Explore a traditional Albanian dwelling that pays tribute to the region's rich history.

The elliptical citadel resisted the advance of the mighty Ottomans several times, thanks to the military prowess of the "Dragon of Albania."

According to a local legend, this old castle could only be built after a woman was immured in the walls.

Once a safe haven for locals engaged in blood feuds, this 400-year-old fortified tower is now a museum showing what life was like for those lying in wait within its walls.

The hairpin turns in this mountain road take the shape of a letter—is it a coincidence or a symbol of love?

A curious cave church carved into the face of a cliff.

Its frescoes depict the likeness of Marshal Tito, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Engels burning in hell.

A beautiful mountaintop mausoleum devoted to a Montenegrin icon can't seem to make everyone happy.

These historic defenses ensured the city within would survive hundreds of years of occupations, sieges, and invasions.

A curious little museum dedicated to the furry feline in the cat haven that is Old Town Kotor.