Shkoder, St Stephens Cathedral & Shiroka

St Stephen's Cathedral in Shkroder, Albania, consecrated in 1867, has been the target of numerous sieges but has never fallen (though it was briefly converted into a Palace of Sports during Communist rule between 1967 and 1990).

We visited the shop of a local man who had made a mask for fun that made a big hit. That led him to open a business that is keeping his small staff (20 or so) busy. He designs them, and his staff are free to use their creativity in painting them. The masks were very impressive.

The call to prayer is 5 times a day but is not too loud (more on this later).Read more