title: Timeline of Tirana
text: # Timeline of Tirana
  
  ## Prior to 20th century
  
  * 1418 - First mention of Tirana in Venetian documents.
  * 1572 - Tirana mentioned as "Borgo di Tirana" - Tirana-burgh.
  * 17th C. Founded.
  * 1614 - Sulejman Bargjini built a hammam, bakery, and mosque, transforming the settlement into a commercial center of the area.
  * 1750 - Kokonozi Mosque is built.
  * 1780 - Saint Procopius Church of Tirana established.
  * 1820 - Kapllan Pasha Tomb is built.
  * 1822 - Et'hem Bey Mosque and Clock Tower of Tirana built.
  * 1865
     * Municipal Council created (approximate date).
     * St. Mary's Catholic Church built.
  
  ## 20th century
  
  * 1905 - Population: about 12,000.
  * 1912 - 26 November: The Albanian flag is raised, two days before the Albanian Declaration of Independence in Vlorë.
  * 1913 - Zyber Hallulli becomes mayor.
  * 1917 - 28 November: "Streha Vorfnore", the first public orphanage in Albania was established.
  * 1918 - 19–20 December: Congress of Tirana took place, a preparatory for the Congress of Durrës.
  * 1920 - 9 February: Tirana becomes provisional capital of Albania.
  * 1921 - Albanian Vocational School founded.
  * 1922
     * National Library headquartered in Tirana.
     * Albanian Orthodox Church gained its independence.
  * 1923 - Muslim Community of Albania headquartered in Tirana.
  * 1925
     * Bektashi order moved its headquarters in Tirana.
     * 31 December: Tirana becomes permanent capital of Albania.
  * 1926 - 27 November: Italian-Albanian pact [de] signed in Tirana.
  * 1927 - 22 November: Italian-Albanian military pact [de] signed in Tirana.
  * 1929 - Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania headquartered in Tirana.
  * 1930 - Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard laid out.
  * 1938 - Radio Tirana begins broadcasting.
  * 1939
     * Italian occupation begins.
     * Kosovo cinema opens.
     * Sacred Heart Church built.
  * 1941
     * Communist Party of Albania headquartered in Tirana.
     * Presidential Palace construction completed.
  * 1942 - Zëri i Popullit newspaper begins publication.
  * 1943
     * Italian occupation ends.
     * Bashkimi newspaper begins publication.
  * 1945 - State Professional Theatre active.
  * 1946 - Teachers' college opens.
  * 1948 - National Archaeological Museum opened.
  * 1949 - Durrës-Tirana railway begins operating.
  * 1950 - Rinia Park created.
  * 1951
     * Higher Agricultural Institute established.
     * Polytechnic University of Tirana established.
  * 1953 - National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania founded.
  * 1954 - Gallery of Figurative Art opens.
  * 1955/56 - Grand Park of Tirana built.
  * 1957 - State University of Tirana established.
  * 1963 - Palace of Culture of Tirana built.
  * 1966 - High Institute of Arts founded.
  * 1968 - Skanderbeg Monument erected in Skanderbeg Square.
  * 1971 - University's Botanical Gardens of Tirana created.
  * 1972 - Academy of Sciences of Albania headquartered in city.
  * 1979
     * Tirana International Hotel opened.
     * Population: 189,000.
  * 1981 - National History Museum opens.
  * 1986 - Palace of Congresses built.
  * 1988
     * International Center of Culture opens.
     * Enver Hoxha statue [sq] erected.
  * 1989 - Population: 238,057.
  * 1990 - December: Student strike.
  * 1991
     * Koha Jonë newspaper begins publication.
     * Polytechnic University of Tirana active.
     * Confederation of Trade Unions (Albania) headquartered in Tirana.
     * Tirana International School founded.
     * Enver Hoxha's statue is torn down by protesters.
  * 1992 - Prefecture of Tirana created.
  * 1996 - Tirana Bank founded.
  * 1997 - January: Albanian Rebellion of 1997 begins.
  * 2000 - Design of Tirana Coat of Arms adopted.
  
  ## 21st century
  
  * 2001
     * St Paul's Cathedral (Tirana) built.
     * Population: 343,078.
  * 2006 - European University of Tirana established.
  * 2008 - 10 March: Centre of Albanological Studies established.
  * 2011
     * January: 2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations.
     * 8 May: Albanian local elections, 2011 held.
     * Lulzim Basha becomes mayor.
     * Population: 418,495.
  * 2012
     * Resurrection Cathedral, Tirana built.
     * TID Tower built (approximate date).
  * 2013 - University of Medicine opened.
  * 2015
     * Erion Veliaj becomes mayor.
     * Maritim Plaza (luxury hotel) construction completed.
  