ALBANIA ~ Valbona Valley National Park - UNESCO ~

... A stunning nature view... the country's largest National Park and one of the last untamed parts of Europe’s largest mountain range... this National Park is considered to be the hidden gem of Albanian Alps or known as "Albanian miracle of Alps"... this valley is home to a diverse ecosystem featuring glacial springs, unique rock formations, waterfalls, dense forests and a beautiful river... it is perfect for nature lovers seeking an off-beat hiking destination with some great hiking trails... the park holds also historical and cultural significance... Thanks a lot Sini! (✿◠‿◠)

Photo: Armando Baguca
The Valbona Valley National Park is a national park inside the Albanian Alps in northern Albania bordering Kosovo and Montegro.The Valbona Valley and its surrounding mountains were protected as Valbona Valley National Park in 1996. 

The name of the park, Valbona, derives from the same name of the river that flows through the valley.

The park is part of the transboundary UNESCO WHS Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe that is shared with 17 other countries.

Stamps:

Albanian Art - Drawings 

(Issued 27-12-2017)

Archaeology - Dyrrachium 

(Issued 05-12-2014)

ALBANIA ~ Gashi River - Valbone Valley National Park - UNESCO ~

... Spectacular nature view... Gashi River natural reserve is located in the basin of Valbona National Park with no inhabited areas... this unbelievably beautiful national beech forest preserves some of the last entirely virgin woods in Albania referred to as "the Albanian Miracle of the Alps"... Valbone Valley NP is one of the most visited outdoor destinations in the Balkans especially for the incredible biodiversity that characterizes it.... surrounded by mountains, it looks like a wonderland, and it is a hiking paradise for outdoor enthusiasts offering breathtaking views... the park is not only a haven for nature lovers but also holds historical and cultural significance... Thanks a lot Lubo!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Valbonë Valley National Park covers an area of 80  km2, encompassing the Valbona River and its surrounding areas. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including brown bears, wolves, lynx, and numerous bird species.  The park is known for its impressive rock formations, glacial springs, and picturesque waterfalls, such as the stunning Xhema Waterfall.

In 2017, the Gashi River and Rrajcë regions were listed by UNESCO as part of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe that is shared with 17 other countries.

Stamps:
 

The 120th Anniversary of the League of Prizren

(Issued 1006-1998)

The1st Anniversary of the Death of Mikel Koliqi

(Issued 28-11-1998)

ALBANIA ~ Saranda ~

.... Wonderful evening scene of one of the most charming and popular coastal towns on the Albanian Riviera... a hidden gem settled in a picturesque bay surrounded by hills that slope down towards the coast making Saranda port look like an amphitheatre... sunny weather, a beautiful coastline with crystal clear seawater, unspoiled beaches, interesting history, good value for money, and the perfect base to explore other breath-taking places nearby are the main reasons tourists flock here during the summer... Thanks a lot Indrut! (✿◠‿◠)

Saranda is based on the Ionian Sea Gulf which is a bay within the Mediterranean Sea. It's encircled by Southern Italy, the west coast of Greece, and the Greek Ionian Islands. This includes Corfu which can be seen from Saranda embankment and accessed easily by ferry.

 

Stamp:

3X Albanian Flora

(Issued 04-04-2022)

ALBANIA ~ Butrint National Park - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful view of one of the greatest archaeological sites in the Adriatic region... an ancient city which was inhabited since prehistoric times, spanning an era of 2.500 years... you can see a wide range of sites, including ruins from the Bronze Age, Venetian castles, a basilica and ancient Roman theatre which seats over 2500 people... it is still used from time to time for events... some of the found artefactsc from the iron and middle ages can be seen in the museum which is located within the castle... the ruins are nestled in the forest with bright blue waters surrounding it... it is the most visited cultural tourist destination in the country... Thanks a lot Monika!【ツ】

The Amphitheatre was discovered in 1928-30 and was originally built in a Greek style. It was used by worshippers and priests of the Sanctuary for religious ceremonies and public discussions. The theatre was then rebuilt and enlarged in the 2nd century AD in the Roman style and was the centerpiece of the town.

Butrint is an archaeological site and National Park located in a small peninsula between the Straits of Corfu and Butrint Lake in the far south of Albania. The site is situated near Ksamil, a beautiful, small, touristic coastal village.

The Butrint National Park spreads on a 29-sq-km comprises a high diversity of natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats, such as freshwater marshes, reed beds, Mediterranean forests and maquis, arable lands and fruit-tree terraces, as well as coastal waters with rocky and sandy coasts and open halophytic lands.These habitats shelter a high diversity of animals and plants.

Butrint was designated in 1992 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stamp:

The 190th Anniversary of the First Locomotive
(Issued 27-09-2015)

ALBANIA ~ Berat - UNESCO ~

... My first great Albanian UNESCO site👍... the famous "city of a thousand windows"... a walk across the river Osum offered this spectacular view of the Old Town with Ottoman-era houses perched beautifully on the side of a mountain...  the Ottoman architecture is uniquely preserved...  Berat is probably one of the most visually-stunning towns in the Southern Balkans... there are a number of museums, including the Berat National Ethnographic Museum, which showcase what life was like for earlier residents of this place....Thanks a lot Indrit!!【ツ】

Berat is the ninth most populous city of the Republic of Albania. The city is the capital of the surrounding Berat County, one of 12 constituent counties of the country. It lies on the right bank of the river Osum, a short distance from the point where it is joined by the Molisht river.

The old city centre consists of three parts: Kalaja (on the castle hill), Mangalem (at the foot of the castle hill) and Gorica (on the left bank of the Osum).

 Berat is one of the longest inhabited towns in the world. Certainly, for Europe, where the earliest records of Berat are first mentioned more than 2400 years. Artifacts found in the area prove people have been living in the area for much longer.

In 2008, Berat was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site along with Gjirokaster.

Stamps:

3X Regional Costumes
(Issued 20-03-2002)

ALBANIA ~Valbona to Thethi trail - National Parks

...Breathtaking nature view and my first written and stamped postcard from Albania and both places are National Parksツ...it shows the trail from Valbona (995m) over the Valbona Pass (1.759 m) to Thethi (716m)... follows the route of an ancient mule track linking the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj... about two-thirds of the territory of the country is either hilly or mountainous .. Thanks a lot Indrit!! \_(♥‿♥)_/ ➜ POSTCARD ALBANIA

Photo: Albania Alpine Adventure © Arba Editions
The Republic of Albania is a Balkan nation in south eastern Europe and situated on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, bordering Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia and Greece.

The areas around Thethi and Valbona constitute two separate Albanian National Parks, the Thethi National Park and Valbona Valley National Park.

Valbona Valley National Park is a part of the Prokletije mountain range. Designated in 1996, the park includes the Valbona Valley and the Valbona River and lies between high and craggy peaks all strictly protected natural areas.

Thethi is a national park in the extreme north of the country, designated by government decree in 1966 and is located along the Theth River and features several mountain peaks over 2500m height.

Stamps:

Distinguished national personalities
(Issued 17-08-2016)

The 190th Anniversary of the First Locomotive
(Issued 27-09-2015)

ALBANIA ~Tirana~

Tirana is the capital and largest city of the Republic Albania, a country in South Eastern Europe.