Who’s who: Tirana’s political Elite in the 1930s
The ruling class of an ever changing city
The Blloku district in Tirana, during the communist era, was an exclusive and secluded enclave reserved for the Albanian political elite, including the communist leader Enver Hoxha and other high-ranking party officials. It was a symbol of power and privilege, isolated from the general population with restricted access.
This district’s origins as a hub for the ruling class date back to the time of King Zog I. Prior to the 1930s, the area where Blloku now stands was predominantly agricultural land. However, with the development of a new boulevard and the regulation of the Lana River, the emerging political class needed a residential area close to the capital. King Zog I allocated land in this zone for the construction of villas for these functionaries. The layout of the roads and properties established during that period persists to this day.
In historical maps, one can distinguish the grand houses of the era, outlined in vibrant pink, with their surrounding walls marked in purple. The main thoroughfares are traced in pastel purple, while the blue indicates the waterways, including the then-untamed Lana River and its irrigation channels.
Now, without further ado let’s dive into the lives of the Bllok’s political elite at the 1930 and what happened to their homes today.
1. Llambi Aleksi & Bilal Nivica
We are starting from the top. The very first “Rrugica e Bllokut” (Block’s Alley) when you enter the former Block area from the Lana bridge in the Ibrahim Rugova street.
You turn on the left from Ibrahim Rugova street, we find the old houses of Llambi Aleksi (represented with red) and his neighbor Bilal Nivica (represented with blue).
Let’s get to know our guys a bit more, starting with Llambi Aleksi.
Llambi Aleksi, born in 1890 in Borovë, Kolonjë, was an economist, civil servant, and a key figure in Albania’s National Economy during the early days of the Italian occupation in April 1939. From 8–12 April 1939 he was appointed Finance Minister.
Aleksi’s career in finance began in August 1918 in Kolonjë, and he held various positions in the Ministry of Finance until November 1944, with some interruptions. He was reappointed to the Finance Council in August 1945, serving until 1946, when the institution was dissolved. Aleksi passed away in Tirana in 1969.
Next up we have Bilal Nivica.
Bilal Nivica was a prominent military figure and public servant in Albania. Born in 1892 in Nivicë, Kurvelesh, he completed his military education in Tirana. His career included various roles: from 1926 to 1930, he served as the Deputy Prefect of Devoll, and from 1932 to 1937, he was the head of the Political Court. During World War II, he led nationalist squads against the Italian army in Vlorë (1942). In 1944, he was promoted to Colonel and briefly served as the General Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie. Nivica was arrested in 1945 and sentenced by the Special Court of Tirana to 15 years of forced labor, loss of civil and political rights, and confiscation of movable and immovable property. He was released in 1959.
What are their homes now?
Llambi Aleksi’s house is now a multi-story building, housing the Coffee & Coffee coffee shop.
Bilal Nivica’s house also underwent the same fate; now a big green building.
2. Lec Varaku & Bedri Përmeti
Moving on to the next row of buildings.
Denoted in red we find the house of Lec Varaku.
Now, we have to state something here: no matter how hard we looked for this person, we could not find out who he was. Sometimes on the maps of the time the names are written incorrectly, and we have to do a lot of guesswork.
Please if you know something let us know, and we will edit.
One theory that we have is that he is in fact Ndoc Naraçi.
Ndoc Naraçi, born on May 7, 1899, in Shkodër, Albania, was an engineer, civil servant, and Minister of Public Works. He received a scholarship to study at a military middle school in Vienna after the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Albania in 1916. Naraçi graduated in electrical engineering from the Vienna Polytechnic in 1926 and chose to return to Albania, working in various engineering and directorial roles, including as the general director of the Directorate General of Post-Telegraphs. In 1943, he was appointed as Minister of National Economy and acting Minister of Education in Ekrem Libohova’s cabinet. However, his tenure was short-lived; he was arrested in November 1944, sentenced to 30 years in prison as an “enemy of the people,” and spent time in harsh labor drying swamps. Released from prison on July 14, 1958, he continued to work in difficult conditions until his retirement in 1975. Naraçi spent his final years in Shkodër, passing away in 1987.
Next up in blue we find the house of Bedri Përmeti.
Bedri Përmeti was a pediatrician born in Manastir (modern Bitola), working as a private doctor in Tirana. He studied in Istanbul. However we know a bit more about his son.
Mirush Përmeti completed his primary education in Austria, secondary education at the Technical School in Tirana, and higher studies in Padua, Italy. He was multilingual, fluent in German, Italian, and English, and worked in the Ministry of Agriculture. Përmeti was first arrested in 1945 but released due to lack of evidence. He was later involved in the drying works of Maliq’s marsh, leading to his re-arrest on October 29, 1946. Following a trial, he was sentenced to death. Përmeti was executed on January 21, 1947.
What are their homes now?
Lec Varaku’s home is an open construction site, waiting for a modern multi-story building to be build.
Bedri Përmeti’s house is the site of a big glassy-looking residence of Credins Bank.
3. Hafiz Xhemali & Spiro Zheji
Let’s analyze two old houses a bit more distant to each other.
First up, marked with red we find the house of Hafiz Xhemali.
Hafiz Xhemal Naipi born in 1887 in Shkodër, was the first the first chairman of the Albanian Parliament.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Shkodër and pursued higher studies in theology and Islamic law in Istanbul. He was well-versed in several languages including Turkish, Arabic, Italian, and French. Naipi held various prestigious positions, such as kadı (judge), head of the education commission for Shkodër, myfti, general director of Vakuf (Islamic endowment) properties, senator, deputy, and chairman of the parliamentary assembly from the Congress of Lushnje.
Eventually, Naipi was sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life imprisonment. He endured prolonged suffering in forced labor camps and died in prison in 1955 at 77, with his family unaware of his burial place. His contributions were later recognized posthumously after the restoration of democracy in Albania.
Marked in blue we find the house of Spiro Zheji.
Spiro Ballo Zheji was born in 1903, originating from the Zhej village of Zagori, Gjirokastër. He studied in the Academia Militare Modena in Italy and was Oficer-Major during the King Zog I regime.
Most notable are his two sons:
- Petro Zheji — an Albanian linguist, translator and author.
- Gjergj Zheji — an Albanian educator, translator, editor and researcher.
What are their homes now?
Hafiz Xhemali’s house is now a multy-story building on “Ukraina e Lirë” street, just on the north Kosovo’s Embassy.
Spiro Zheji’s home is now destroyed and in it’s place “Magic Club” has been erected. It is close to Enver Hoxha’s house.
4. Zoi Xoxa & Teki Kolonja
For the next batch we have in blue the house of Zoi Xoxa.
Zoi Xoxa was born in Berat in the year 1902. He completed his university studies in law in Rome, where he graduated in 1926. Xoxa is noted for his work in journalism, particularly with the Boston-based newspaper “Dielli” (The Sun). He is also recognized for his role as the political director of the “Gazeta e Re” (New Gazette) and for his contributions to literature.
He participated in politics later and was elected as a member of the Albanian Parliament and later as a deputy in Berat.
In red we find the house of Teki Kolonja.
Unfortunately we were unable to identify who he was exactly, but we are open to edit it in the future.
What are their homes now?
Zoi Xoxa’s house now resides between “Ismail Qemali” and “Vaso Pasha” streets. There are some communist time buildings there, nowadays housing some local shops.
Teki Kolonja’s house is still standing! It houses today a specialty coffee bar called “Coffee Lab”.
5. Kolë Thaçi & Demir Vila
First up in blue we find the house of Kolë Thaçi.
Kolë Thaçi was born in Shkodër in 1886. He was a multifaceted figure in Albanian history, known for his roles as an educator, civil servant, and member of the Albanian Senate from March to December 1920.
He also held office as the Minister of Finances from 24 December 1921–25 February 1924. Thaçi received his primary and technical education at the Saverian College in his hometown of Shkodër, later working there as a teacher from 1903 to 1910. During the Austro-Hungarian occupation, he served as the customs secretary and later as the director of customs in Shkodër. Thaçi was also a literary figure known for his poetry.
In blue we find the villa of Demir Vila.
Demir Vila was the secretary of the Regency Council from 1943–1944. He was the son of Xhemal Vila, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania.
What are their homes now?
Kolë Thaçi’s home is now a multi-story building standing in “Nikolla Tupe” street, hosting the “Metro Hotel Tirana”.
Demir Vila’s villa now is also a multi-story building in “Abdyl Frasheri” street, many people know it as the “iKub Info” building, or where the Embassy of Slovenia is.
5. Avni Dabulla & Qazim Komani
First in blue we find Avni Dabulla’s home.
Avni Dabulla, born on June 12, 1877, in Gjirokastër, Albania, was a jurist and civil servant during both the Ottoman Empire and later in Albania.
He completed his higher education at the Royal School of Justice in Istanbul and served as a prosecutor in Korçë between 1900–1902, later becoming the chairman of the court in Prizren and other locations until 1912. During the Austro-Hungarian occupation, from 1916 to 1918, he was the Director General of Justice in Shkodër, and held various administrative roles including acting prefect of Berat and inspector general of justice in Lushnje. He also served as the Chief Prosecutor in Tirana in 1924 and began working in the civil branch of the Court of Dictation in 1925. Dabulla’s life tragically ended in Tirana on September 30, 1944, by an accidental gunshot.
In red we find Qazim Komani’s house.
Qazim Komani was born in 1895 in Gjakovë into a family dedicated to the cause of ethnic Albania. He rose quickly through the ranks of the Albanian military, becoming a major, lieutenant colonel, and then colonel at a young age due to his diligence and dedication. Komani took command of the National Defense forces in the Kosovo sector, steadfastly defending the borders against Chetnik forces. He established his command center in Prizren and was supported by a network of devoted Albanian soldiers. In a trial deemed politically motivated by the communists of Enver Hoxha, he was initially sentenced to death, but this was later commuted to 20 years of hard labor due to the intervention of Western anti-fascist personalities. He died in 1948 due to the hardships endured from torture.
What are their homes now?
Avni Dabulla’s house is now a communist building in front of Libri Universitar in “Abdyl Frashëri” street. It houses the “Walker’s” store.
Qazim Komani’s house is also a communist building in “Perlat Rexhepi” street, close to the Wilson Square.
6. Aqif Përmeti & Mirash Ivanaj & Mihajil Krasenski
First in blue we find the villa of Aqif Përmeti.
Aqif Përmeti was a notable Albanian military officer and politician, born on November 28, 1884, in Përmet, within the Janina Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire. He received military training in Istanbul and served in the United States Army leading an Albanian-American battalion. Përmeti returned to Albania to support the Delvina Government in 1920 and took various military and political roles, including serving as the Minister of Defense during the Italian occupation from April 1939 to April 1943, and was promoted to general in March 1943. Unfortunately, his life ended in tragedy when the communist regime sentenced him to death as a war criminal, and he was executed on April 14, 1945.
Second, in red, we find the house of Mirash Ivanaj.
Mirash Ivanaj was a significant Albanian politician, minister, and school director, remembered for his substantial contributions to Albania’s education system. Born on March 12, 1891, in Podgorica, Montenegro, Ivanaj was educated in Belgrade and Rome, where he studied Philosophy-Literature and Law. He became Minister of Education in 1933, during which he introduced “Ivanaj’s Law,” a comprehensive educational reform making elementary education mandatory for five years and establishing secondary education institutes. His efforts to homogenize the education system faced resistance, especially from the Italian fascist government. After the Italian occupation of Albania in 1939, he left for Turkey but returned in 1945. Initially welcomed back and appointed as a teacher, Ivanaj was later arrested by Enver Hoxha’s regime, accused of being an “Imperialist agent,” and sentenced to prison. He died on September 22, 1953, shortly before his scheduled release.
Third, in yellow, we find the house of Mihajil Krasenski.
Mihajil Krasenski was a lieutenant, part of the “White Russians”, individuals associated with the White Army (opponents of the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War). In Albania, the presence of Russians first occurred at the end of 1921, of whom, several individuals settled in Tirana at the request of Prime Minister Ahmet Zogu. Krasenksi helped King Zog come to power in 1925 and get rid of Fan Noli’s government.
What are their homes now?
Aqif Përmeti’s home is now a multi-story building right in front of the Faculty of Law.
Mirash Ivanaj’s home is also a multi-story building, but today it is called “Rezidenca Ivanaj” and hosts the “M&M Ivanaj Foundation Institute”.
Mihajil Krasenski’s home, similar to Përmeti is a building just 2 buildings down, in front of the Faculty of Law.
7. Xhemal Aranitasi & Kol Dhimitri
In blue we find Xhemal Aranitasi’s home.
Xhemal Aranitasi, was a distinguished Albanian general and the commander-in-chief of the Royal Albanian Army. Born in 1886 in Aranitas, Fier, he was the son of Ibrahim Aranitasi, an Ottoman army colonel. Aranitasi graduated from the Monastir Military High School and the military academy in Istanbul. He served as a machine gun unit leader in the Ottoman army during the Balkan Wars and as a commander of the gendarmerie in Aranitas during World War I. In 1920, he joined the Royal Albanian Army, eventually becoming its general commander in 1925 and being promoted to general in 1929. He served as the aide-de-camp of King Zog I of Albania. In 1939, as Minister of War, he opposed the mobilization against the Kingdom of Italy and left Albania for Turkey on the eve of the Italian invasion, where he lived until his death in 1961.
In red we have Kol Dhimitri’s house.
Kol Dhimitri, born in Dhërmi, Vlorë, was a prominent Albanian lawyer, distinguished for his work from the 1920s to the 1950s. He was the first known Albanian lawyer to graduate after the establishment of the Albanian state, completing his education in Rome in 1921. Dhimitri was one of the most renowned lawyers of his time, especially remembered for defending several notable figures accused by the communists of treason or collaboration with fascism during the early years of Albania’s liberation.
What are their homes now?
Xhemal Aranitasi’s home is now the famous “Xheko Imperial Hotel” in “Ibrahim Rugova” street.
Kol Dhimitri’s home is now part of a building complex in front of Faculty of the Arts, close to the Garde, now hosting a “Sophie Cafe”.
8. Ali Riza Kosova & Sali Daljani
First, in blue, we find Ali Riza Kosova’s home.
Ali Riza Kosova, born on April 16, 1883, in Prishtina, was a distinguished military officer and patriot. He was a collaborator of Kemal Ataturk and played a key role in countering Serbian-Yugoslav military interventions in Kosovo and Albania. He was known for his leadership in the reconstruction and expansion of national roadways, such as the 37-km long Tirana-Vorë-Durrës line. His exemplary military and engineering knowledge led him to be employed in the key road junction area of Vorë. Known for his just and compassionate treatment of people, Kosova maintained these qualities throughout his life.
Second, in red, we find Sali Daljani’s house.
Unfortunately we could not find any information on Sali Daljani.
What are their homes now?
Ali Riza Kosova’s house now hosts “Instituti i Sigurimeve të Kujdesit Shëndetsor” in “Sami Frashëri” street.
Sali Daljani’s home is some buildings situated in “Bilal Xhaferri” street.
9. Ali Grezda & Muhamet Pelinku
First in blue we find Ali Grezda’s home.
While we could not find out who he was exactly, it is for sure he has origins from Gjakova and had a military career.
Second in red we find Muhamet Pelinku’s house.
Muhamet Pelinku comes from a family of merchants from Ulcinj, Montenegro.
He completed his military education in Rome. Worked as a First Captain during King Zog’s regime, mostly in charge of protecting his siters.
What are their homes now?
Ali Grezda’s home lies in “Dora D’Istria” street, close to the “Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes Financiare”. It is as you guessed a multi-story building.
Muhamet Pelinku’s house is in a now building complex, just behind “Marin Barleti” university.
10. Hil Mosi & Mati Logoreci
First in blue we find Hil Mosi’s home.
Hil Mosi, an Albanian politician and poet, was born in 1885 in Shkodër, part of the Ottoman Empire. He was educated at an Italian elementary school and the Xavierian Shkodër Jesuit College, later studying in Klagenfurt, Austria. Mosi participated in the 1911 Albanian uprising against Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire, became a member of the Albanian Literary Commission in 1916, and served as a deputy of Shkodër from 1920 to 1924. He supported the 1924 revolution that ousted Ahmet Zogu, serving as a prefect under Prime Minister Fan S. Noli. Following Zogu’s return, Mosi was initially exiled but returned in 1927, serving as the minister of public works, director-general of public security, and finally as minister of education until his death in 1933.
Second in red we find Mati Logoreci’s villa.
Mati Logoreci, was born in Shkodër and began his education there. Fluent in several languages, he continued his education at the Saverian College in Shkodër, gaining knowledge in economics and trade. Logoreci worked as an apprentice in the Parruca trading company and later as an accountant in Monfalcone near Trieste, Italy.
A key figure in the development of education in Northern Albania and Kosovo, Logoreci played a pivotal role in the National Renaissance’s vision for a national, secular school system. He founded the Albanian school in Prizren, authored textbooks, and studied Albanian language and literature extensively, contributing significantly to the field. After Albanian independence, he served as a teacher in Tirana, an official in the education sector in Shkodër, and participated in the Congress of Lushnja as a delegate for Shkodër. He was a general secretary in the Ministry of Education from 1922 to 1923 and devoted his life to education until his retirement in 1930.
What are their homes now?
Hil Mosi’s home would be today in the souther wing of the “Piramida e Tiranës”.
Mati Logoreci’s villa is still standing! It is converted into a modern restaurant called “Artigiano”.
11. Kol Keqari & Doktor Simonidhi
First in blue we find the house of Kol Keqari.
Unfortunately we were unable to identify who Kol Keqari was.
Second in red, we find the house of Doctor Simonidhi.
Dr. Simonidhi, born in Vuno, Himarë in 1881, completed his initial education in Ioannina, high school in Corfu, and university in Athens, where he graduated. He further perfected his studies in Paris for two years. In 1912, he established a private medical practice in Vlorë. He became a deputy for the first time in 1925, a position he still held at the time the text was written. Dr. Simonidhi was an initiator and a key figure in the ‘Rilindja’ (Renaissance) of Tirana, having authored the book “Malaria në Shqipëri” (Malaria in Albania). He was the director of the ‘Miku i Popullit’ society, which operated in Tirana in collaboration with Ing. Ferid Vokopola, and was an administrator and legal director of the newspaper managed by Nebil Çika.
What are their homes now?
Kol Keqari’s house is nowadays a modern building in “Ismail Qemali” street, housing many businesses.
Dr. Simonidhi’s house is situated today just behind “Kosova” middle school. Nothing survives.
12. Terenc Toçi & Teki Selenica
First in blue we find the house of Terenc Toçi.
Terenc Toçi born in Strigari, Calabria, on March 9, 1880, was an influential arbëresh (Albanian-Italian) figure, propagandist for the Albanian cause in Italy, jurist, publisher, and writer. He graduated in law from the University of Urbino in 1904 and became involved in political activism. Toçi traveled to the Western Hemisphere between 1908–1909 to garner support for Albanian independence from the Ottoman Empire, later participating in the 1911 Uprising. He founded the political daily “Taraboshi” in Shkodër in 1913. He held various important roles until in 1937, he accepted the position as Minister of Finance. During the Italian occupation, Toçi supported the union of Albania and Italy and served as the chairman of the High Corporate Fascist Council from 1940 to 1942. After World War II, he was executed by the Special Court in April 1945.
Second in red we find the house of the much beloved Teki Selenica, who blessed us with plentiful of stats.
Teki Selenica, born in 1882 in Selenica, Kolonjë, was a career civil servant for the Albanian state, responsible for conducting the country’s first demographic censuses and authoring the volumes “Shqipëria më 1923” and “Shqipëria më 1927,” which reflected these censuses. He began his patriotic activities at Huzuku University in Istanbul, where he connected with Albanian nationalist circles and became active as a journalist. Returning to Albania, he initially worked in Berat’s prefectural administration until 1920, after which he was summoned to the central administration in Tirana following the Congress of Lushnja. In 1928, he was appointed the highest-ranking civil servant in the Albanian state administration, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers. That same year, he published his most important and voluminous work, “Shqipëria me 1927,” which serves as an encyclopedia. Under his direction, the general population registry was completed on April 22, 1930, which remains a primary statistical source for population distribution by religious belief, race, and nationality in Albania.
What are their homes now?
Terenc Toçi’s villa survives, and it is today the Embassy of Spain.
Teki Selenica’s house no longer survives. It would be located in a tennis court behind “Hotel Rogner”.
13. Sali Toro & Princi Xhelal Zogu
First in blue we find the house of Sali Toro.
Sali Toro, born in Gjirokastër in 1870, was an Albanian lawyer, judge, and politician. He served as a prosecutor and chief justice in various cities within the Ottoman Empire from 1892 to 1912. After returning to Albania, he became the chief justice of the Durrës Court in 1913 and then the Minister of Justice in Essad Toptani’s cabinet in 1914, holding the position until 1916. He also served as chief justice in the Court of Berat from 1919 to 1920, head of the Dictative Court until 1929, and was a member of the State Council starting April 1, 1929. Toro passed away in Tirana on March 15, 1944.
Second in red, used to be the palace of Prince Xhelal Zogu.
Prince Xhelal Zogu was “King Zog I” brother, born on May 14, 1881 in the Castle of Burgajet, Mat. He left politics after the proclamation of the Monarchy, joining King Zog’s agrarian reform and donating a substantial amount of his own land, gaining popularity for his generosity, especially among the poor. Following the Italian invasion in 1939, he emigrated with the Royal Family to Istanbul, where he reconnected with old university friends and his uncle’s family, who were settled in Ankara. Prince Xhelal Zogu passed away on February 26, 1944, and was buried in the Feriköy cemetery.
What are their homes now?
Sali Toro’s house is today transformed into a modern building, locally called the Coin Center.
Prince Xhelal Zogu’s palace no longer exists. In its place today resides the “Pallati i Kongreseve”.
14. Sefer Gjyshi & Hivzi Korça
In blue we find Sefer Gjyshi’s residence.
We don’t know much about Sefer Gjyshi, but from what little we gathered he seems to have been a local landowner from Tirana.
In red we find Hivzi Korça’s residence.
Hivzi Korça too seems to be difficult to research. However we know that he was an engineer that opened a vocational school in Tirana.
What are their homes now?
Sefer Gjyshi’s house is today “Faik Konica” school, close to artistic Lyceum “Jordan Misja”.
Hivzi Korça’s home is today a modern building in “Themistokli Gërmenji” street, close to Romanian Embassy.
15. Thoma Orolloga & Irakli Noçka
First in blue we find the house of Thoma Orolloga.
Thoma Orolloga (1888–1947) was an Albanian jurist, politician, and leader of the anti-communist resistance during World War II. Born in Korçë, he studied law in Athens and Paris before returning to Albania to practice law and advocate for independence from French rule. A member of the law reform committee and a professor of law in Tirana, he became the president of the civil code reforms committee in 1931 and was elected deputy of Korçë. Orolloga opposed the Italian invasion and subsequent occupation of Albania in 1939, leading to his detention. After joining the Balli Kombëtar, he served on its central committee and represented it at the Mukje Agreement in 1943. He was reappointed as minister of justice in the first post-German defeat government in 1944. However, after the war, the Party of Labour of Albania accused him of collaboration with Axis forces, and he was executed in September 1947.
Second in red we have the house of Irakli Noçka.
Irakli Noçka was a distinguished Albanian jurist and academic, having graduated from the Faculty of Law and Economics at the University of Athens. Starting his career in spring 1924, he served as a judge in various cities in Albania, and by 1928, he had become a prosecutor in Korçë and an inspector in Tirana. By 1929, Noçka was appointed Secretary in the Ministry of Justice. Noçka was known for his key role in countering territorial claims by chauvinist factions, showcasing his extensive legal expertise. His rich experience was reflected in numerous articles and the journal “Drejtësia Popullore” (People’s Justice). He ended his career as an advisor at the Supreme Court, passing away on November 7, 1970.
What are their homes now?
Thoma Orolloga’s home is now a multi-story building in “Asim Zeneli” street, on the side of the Embassy of the Netherlands.
Irakli Noçka’s home is still standing! It is today a traditional restaurant called “Era Vila” in the “Gjon Pali” roundabout.
