St. Paul's Cathedral

The cathedral is designed in a contemporary style and looks nothing like a traditional church. The structure combines two geometric forms – a triangle (symbolizing the Holy Trinity) and a circle (representing God's eternity). The façade is minimalist: light-colored concrete, glass inserts, little ornamentation. A statue of the apostle Paul stands atop the building.

The interior is spacious and bright, thanks to tall stained glass windows. The main window beside the entrance depicts Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa – key figures for Albanian Catholics. Inside, you'll also find a mosaic dedicated to Mother Teresa, statues of the apostles, and Stations of the Cross along the walls. The seating is arranged in a semicircle facing the altar with its crucifix. A baptismal font sits at the back of the nave.

A statue of Mother Teresa stands in the forecourt – she is one of Albania's most recognized figures (her family was ethnic Albanian). Behind the cathedral are the archdiocesan offices and clergy residences. The grounds are well-kept, with a small garden. Regular Masses are held, including an English-language service on Sundays.

Architecture – a combination of triangle and circle: symbols of the Trinity and God's eternity

Stained glass – main window depicting Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa at the entrance

Cornerstone – laid personally by Pope John Paul II in 1993

Mother Teresa – statue in the forecourt, mosaic and stained glass window inside

Two Popes – Mass celebrated here by John Paul II (1993) and Francis (2014)

The cathedral was built after the fall of Albania's communist regime, under which all religious institutions were shut down from 1967 and the country declared the world's first atheist state. The previous cathedral (Church of the Sacred Heart) was confiscated and turned into a cinema. Religious freedom was restored in 1991. In 1992, the new Archdiocese of Tirana-Durrës was established and the episcopal seat moved from Durrës to Tirana.

In 1993, Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to Albania and personally laid the cornerstone of the new cathedral. Construction began in 1994 and was completed in late 2001. The cathedral was solemnly consecrated on January 26, 2002. It is dedicated to the apostle Paul, who, according to tradition, founded the first Christian community in Durrës in the 1st century AD. In 2014, Pope Francis visited the cathedral.

From central Tirana (on foot):

– From Skanderbeg Square – 10 minutes south along Boulevard Jean d'Arc

– From the Pyramid of Tirana – 5 minutes on foot

– From the Grand Park – 10 minutes north along the boulevard

The cathedral is within the city center's walkable zone – no taxi or bus needed.

Season: Year-round. The cathedral is an indoor, air-conditioned space.

Time of day: Morning (9:00 AM–noon) – few visitors, good light through the stained glass. Avoid Mass times if you want to look around the interior freely.

Duration: 15–30 minutes.

Tip: Easy to combine with a visit to the Pyramid and a walk along the boulevard to Skanderbeg Square.