ABSTRACT
Tirana was proclaimed the provisional capital of Albania in 1920, a decision that was strongly debated as some considered other cities more appropriate for the function of the new capital of the country that had declared its Independence in the midst of the Balkan wars in 1912 and finally achieved recognition by the end of World War I. Towns such as Shkodra, Durrës, Vlora or Korça were argued by some to be better choices for capital because older than Tirana, and more important cultural and economic urban centres, and because some had also served historically as regional capitals or administrative centres. Tirana had some advantages to offer though, first and foremost of which was the fact that at the time it was one of the few Albanian cities without foreign armies stationed there. The Italian army had left the city, while other potential capital candidates such as Shkodra and Korça were still controlled by French troops, and Vlora by the Italians. Tirana’s geographical position in Central Albania was a second factor that played a role in the decision. Situated in the southeastern part of the Tirana plain and only 40 kilometres from the port of Durrës, Tirana was close to the outside world although not immediately on the border. In addition, the vast, open plain surrounding Tirana could meet the government’s needs in terms of space for new administrative and governmental buildings and residences for its officials.
