Sights · 37 of the best in Tirana
Bektashi World Centre
The world seat of the Bektashi
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Albinfo · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Bektashi World Centre
The Bektashi Order, a dervish tradition blending Shia and Sufi thought, moved its world headquarters to Albania in 1925 after it was outlawed in Turkey, and its seat stands in the north-eastern suburbs of Tirana. The great tekke is decorated from top to bottom with coloured marble mosaics, and a museum in the basement explains the order’s history and beliefs, with a small shop. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times; dress modestly and remove your shoes where asked. Take a taxi from the centre.
Who the Bektashi are
The Bektashi Order is a dervish tradition that blends elements of Shia and Sufi thought into its own form of Islam, with a strong emphasis on tolerance, mysticism and the spiritual guidance of its babas. It spread through the Ottoman Empire and has deep roots in Albania, where many families are Bektashi.
A move to Albania
The order was briefly banned by the Ottoman authorities in 1826, re-emerged later in the 19th century, and was outlawed again in Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk soon after the founding of the republic. In 1925 it moved its world headquarters to Albania. Under communism it was suppressed with every other faith, and it has rebuilt since 1990.
Outlawed in Turkey in 1925, the Bektashi order moved its world seat to Tirana, where it still welcomes visitors today.
The tekke and museum
The World Centre stands in the north-eastern suburbs of Tirana. Its great tekke, or lodge, is decorated from floor to ceiling with marble mosaics in a dazzling range of colours and patterns. In the basement, a museum explains the history, beliefs and rituals of the order, with a small shop selling books and souvenirs. Around the complex are tombs of former leaders.
Our advice: visit in the morning, ask at the gate before entering the prayer hall, dress modestly and remove your shoes, and take a taxi from the centre, about fifteen minutes away.
Why it's on our list
- World seat of the Bektashi
- Marble mosaics
- Museum in the basement
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Bektashi World Centre before you go.
Plan your visit
- Where Rruga Hysen Loci, north-east Tirana
- Allow One hour
- Dress Modest; shoes off in the tekke
- Inside Museum and shop
What’s nearby
Distances from Bektashi World Centre are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Rruga Nikolla Zoraqi1.0 km13 min walk
- Taxi rank, Bulevardi Bajram Curri1.0 km13 min walk
Key sights
- New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri)2.1 kmWalk 26 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Tirana Castle2.3 kmWalk 29 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- The Pyramid of Tirana2.5 kmWalk 31 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Clock Tower of Tirana2.5 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Bunk’Art 22.5 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Et’hem Bey Mosque2.6 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Skanderbeg Square2.6 kmWalk 33 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Postbllok – Checkpoint2.7 kmWalk 34 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
- National Historical Museum2.7 kmWalk 34 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
- House of Leaves2.8 kmWalk 35 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
Getting around
- Tirana International Airport (TIA)14 kmCar or taxi 46 min