Skanderbeg’s memorial drawing more visitors

TIRANA, Feb. 16 – The memorial to Albania’s national hero Skanderbeg in the northern town of Lezha, where the Ottoman resistance fighter was buried five centuries ago is attracting more and more visitors from all ethnic Albanians but also foreigners who visit Albania. Enriched by German-Albanian archeological excavations in recent years, the memorial built 30 years ago is turning into an important complex evidencing a glorious era for Albanians in the 15 century when under Skanderbeg leadership they managed to keep the Ottoman army away from Albania for more than 20 years.
The majority of its visitors are students from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, memorial official say as quoted by local media.
The memorial was inaugurated on 23 November 1981. The most important element is the building of Saint Nicholas Cathedral itself, which is at the same time the seat of Lezha Assembly on 2 March 1444 and the tomb of Gjergj Kastrioti (Skanderbeg) on 17 January 1468.
Important elements preserved today in this church include the Saint Nicolas original fresco, the church apse, the three windows and the original church door, the arch over the door and an original church decoration.
This museum has also the outer sector, the archaeological environment with objects from ancient Lezha (Lissus) and medieval period, found around the museum.