Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace, also known as the Palace of Brigades, stands on a hill in Sauk near Tirana’s Grand Park. Built in the 1930s for King Zog I, it was designed by Italian architects including Giulio Berte. The palace reflects rationalist architecture, rare even in fascist Italy, with bas-reliefs covered during the 1970s. After the monarchy ended in 1945, it became a government reception venue. In 2013, President Bujar Nishani moved into a villa on the grounds, restoring its role as an official residence. The palace’s history includes wartime use by Italian officials like Francesco Jacomoni and Alberto Pariani. After Italy’s surrender in 1943, Albanian officers hid the royal flag, which returned to Albania in 2003. The building was renamed the Palace of the Brigades under Communism and later became the Presidential Palace in 1992. Its gardens stretch nearly 200 metres, filled with patterned designs and a tennis court. Visitors find a grand structure surrounded by extensive gardens and trees. The palace hosts state ceremonies and the annual Presidential Ball. Though in need of restoration, its fascist-era architecture remains unique. The grounds also include a villa where the president resides. Despite legal challenges from royal pretender Leka Zogu, the palace remains government property.