FLAG PLACE

Located in the city center, this esplanade (Sheshi i Flamurit) is the largest square in Vlora. On November 28, 1912, the national flag was raised here for the first time, a few hours after the proclamation of the independence of Albania by Ismail Qemali. Every November 28, for the national holiday, is held here the most important official ceremony of the country in the presence of the President and the Prime Minister. The square is adorned with the Independence Monument behind which a small park houses the tomb of Ismail Qemali. To the south of this park, along Liria Street, are the tourist office (closed in 2022), the main "bus station" (minibuses serving the south of the country) and the remains of ancient fortifications dating from the Roman period. Within a radius of 200 m from the square, are the main places of interest in Vlora. To the south, along the boulevard Ismail-Qemali that joins the port, we pass the house of Eqrem Vlora and the Muradiye mosque. To the northeast lies the small historical center with the ethnographic and historical museums and the beautiful Justin-Godart street. Finally, to the east, is the Martyrs' Cemetery (Varrezat e Dëshmorëve). Created in 1974, it houses 963 graves, including 150 of Albanians who died during the "Vlora war" against Italy (June 4-August 2, 1920), 780 of partisans who died during the Second World War, 15 of Italian soldiers who joined the partisans in 1943 and 33 of policemen, soldiers and firefighters who died on duty since 1945.