Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes the story of the famous beach of Durrës, which in the years of the Monarchy occupies a great splendor, as it was populated by local and foreign vacationers, mainly Italians, Austrians and Germans, who rented rooms in 300 modern villas that existed there at that time, or in the popular baths of two well-known Durrës merchants, Rexhep Breshka and Noti Strati. As the newspaper “ARBNIA” of 1937 described “Sandbanks e Durrësit” where many foreigners and the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana rested, from the tourist resorts and the service offered there, to the requests for more commitment and help from the mayor of Durrës, who came out personally and controlled everything.
Along the beach of Durrës that stretches from the Dajlan Bridge to Plepat, about 300 very beautiful new villas have been built and many more are under construction. All villas are designed and built with a modern architecture and inside them is all the necessary and necessary comfort, just like those located on the beaches of the most beautiful countries of Europe. The villas are equipped with all necessary installations, with showers and sinks where water flows without interruption in 24 hours and electricity is also not interrupted for any moment. In addition to the beautiful villas painted in white as well as the foam of the sea, along the beach, in picturesque places, many modern restaurants have been set up with varied menus and very reasonable prices for everyone’s pocket, where their owners and service staff offer a very high-quality service. The whole line of the beach shines with purity and on the shore, there are no more kelp mountains as before.
Thanks to the careful work of the Municipality and its very charming mayor, who hangs over the work, the piles of kelp no longer burn as before, but they are transported from there to certain places. Throughout the day until late in the evening, urban buses move non-stop from Durrës to Plepat, bringing many vacationers who prefer to spend their holidays on this beautiful beach, which even English tourists would be reminded of their beaches. Brighton, or Folkstone, leaving nothing to be desired. Among the thousands of vacationers, there are three buses with German and Austrian tourists, including the German ambassador to Albania. To the right of the beach, lies the city of Durrës, which with its pier reminds tourists of Geneva and Lake Leman. To its left lie the hills around the bay of Durrës, with a fascinating view that even a large European beach like Ostend and Scheveningen would envy.
This picture of Durrës beach that we described above, does not belong to the tourist season that closed there from the beginning of October, nor of a few years ago when the construction of hotels, bars, villas and along the entire length of the beach line began. numerous residential apartments where a considerable portion collapsed or cracked from the devastating November 26 earthquake. The paragraphs quoted at the beginning of this article belong to the last 82 years, or more precisely in 1937, in the period of the Bird Monarchy, when that beach had its greatest splendor. Those who arrived at that time from the city of Durrës, Tirana, etc., and who have frequented the coast, are already quite few, but they remember very well that past time, when the beach of Durrës was noisy by local tourists and foreigners, mainly Italians, Austrians and Germans. Who, through various travel agencies, came from time to time enjoying the enchanting beauties of the Adriatic under the scorching sun, and the shadows of the crown of centuries-old pines. But this thing is already a thing of the past, and many may remember it from some nostalgic old man, whose years have not yet quenched his desire to walk for mornings or dusk on that beach line. Times have changed and the beach has also almost completely lost its appearance from the numerous constructions of the last three decades, where the multi-storey buildings that were “shaken” by the earthquake of November 26, have replaced the former villas built according to architecture. Italians that are already just an image of a bygone era and can only be found in photos or any rare footage of Studio Luçe. But to create a rough picture and a picture of what Durrës beach was like in the years of the Zog Monarchy, we are publishing some of the press articles of that time, (“Arbnia” newspaper), without making any changes from their original version.
Newspaper “Arbnia”: Development of Durrës sandbanks
A foreign personality, who has been living in our country for some time, sends us his beautiful impressions from the sands of Durrës, which we are glad to publish as a place of honor, because His words honor our small State. “I have carefully followed the articles published in the Weij notebook, in which you showed a lively interest in the development of Ranishta in Durrës. Allow me, in my capacity as a reader of Yours, to guide you, but in this way, my small part in favor of the development of this beautiful sand. It is the second season that, together with my family, I spent the summer in the sand dunes of Durrës, and it is my duty to tell you that this year I have found great changes. First, a large majority of new villas built in cement and brick, and others under construction, so that the wooden barracks, which in the past year were in the majority, constitute today the minority of sandblasted buildings. The part of the ranishte that stretches from Durrës to the popular baths, has only a wooden hut, and the other are all new and beautiful villas with all the comfort they need. In the area behind the popular baths, there are, in fact, still many wooden huts, but these are lost among the new villas. I myself have rented a new and beautiful villa, from every point of view, it has the most perfect comforts and consists of two separates, 1 waiting room, 2 verandas, (one has the sea for breakfast and the other has the hills behind lunch) 1 kitchen with all modern installations, running water everywhere, bathroom with shower, sink, pantry etc. Electricity has been laid everywhere in the most finite way. The windows are equipped with beets. I believe that the most pretentious English tourists cannot cry at all from such comfort and will remember that they were on their beach in Brighton or Folkstone. The landlord who rented the villa to me is a lovable gentleman contrary to most of the persons who are of this order. He always asks me if I have any new wishes regarding the completion of the villa and he does what he can, to make my residence as pleasant as possible. I believed that in Tirana I had the most “stylish” owner, who responded to all my wishes, but on the first day of my arrival in Ranishte, I had to conclude that the charming “agai” of Tirana, is not an exception in this place. The owner of the villa came to visit me on the first day of my summer apartment and I was especially interested if everything was according to my wishes. To move into the villa, I needed the help of some workers working on a new building near me. After they helped me, I offered them a small reward, which they refused, saying that they did not help me for money, but for friendship. It also seemed to me at first when the sandbanks grocer as soon as we arrived gave me his disinterested help. It happened in such a situation, I offered against their friendship some cigarettes which they very happily accepted, otherwise I would be in front of a problem quite difficult to get rid of. After such an experience and courses in the accident, we are obliged to give a tip to the cinema or theater servant, who is obliged to accompany the clients to their places, we have the right to ask, why the “tip” have they given it a “Balkan” meaning?! In the ranishte restaurant which is located in a very picturesque position above the sea, I found an exemplary purity. In the kitchen that is seen in the passage above, we notice the akshit dressed in white, as well as with a white cap on top.
A foreign personality, who has been living in our country for some time, sends us his beautiful impressions from the sands of Durrës, which we are glad to publish as a place of honor, because His words honor our small State. “I have carefully followed the articles published in the Weij notebook, in which you showed a lively interest in the development of Ranishta in Durrës. Allow me, in my capacity as a reader of Yours, to guide you, but in this way, my small part in favor of the development of this beautiful sand. It is the second season that, together with my family, I spent the summer in the sand dunes of Durrës, and it is my duty to tell you that this year I have found great First, a large majority of new villas built in cement and brick, and others under construction, so that the wooden barracks, which in the past year were in the majority, constitute today the minority of sandblasted buildings. The part of the ranishte that stretches from Durrës to the popular baths, has only a wooden hut, and the other are all new and beautiful villas with all the comfort they need.In the area behind the popular baths, there are, in fact, still many wooden huts, but these are lost among the new villas. I’m yself have rented a new and beautiful villa, from every point of view, it has the most perfect comforts and consists of two separates, 1 waiting room, 2 verandas, (one has the sea for breakfast and the other has the hills behind lunch) 1 kitchen with all modern installations, running water everywhere, bathroom with shower, sink, pantry etc. Electricity has been laid everywhere in the most finite way. The windows are equipped with beets. I believe that the most pretentious English tourists cannot cry at all from such comfort and will remember that they were on their beach in Brighton or Folkstone. The landlord who rented the villa to me is a lovable gentleman contrary to most of the persons who are of this order. He always asks me if I have any new wishes regarding the completion of the villa and he does what he can, to make my residence as pleasant as possible. I believed that in Tirana I had the most “stylish” owner, who responded to all my wishes, but on the first day of my arrival in Ranishte, I had to conclude that the charming “agai” of Tirana, is not an exception in this place. The owner of the villa came to visit me on the first day of my summer apartment and I was especially interested if everything was according to my wishes. To move into the villa, I needed the help of some workers working on a new building near me. After they helped me, I offered them a small reward, which they refused, saying that they did not help me for money, but for friendship. It also seemed to me at first when the sandbanks grocer as soon as we arrived gave me his disinterested help. It happened in such a situation, I offered against their friendship some cigarettes which they very happily accepted, otherwise I would be in front of a problem quite difficult to get rid of. After such an experience and courses in the accident, we are obliged to give a tip to the cinema or theater servant, who is obliged to accompany the clients to their places, we have the right to ask, why the “tip” have they given it a “Balkan” meaning?! In the ranishte restaurant which is located in a very picturesque position above the sea, I found an exemplary purity. In the kitchen that is seen in the passage above, we notice the akshit dressed in white, as well as with a white cap on top.
Note: A foreign personality, who stops for some time in your country, sends us his beautiful impressions from the sands of Durrës, which I enjoy if we go to second place, because His words, honor our small State
Report of 1937
“Durrës beach was inaugurated on Sunday and showed us significant progress”
Rexhep Breshka and Noti Strati are the young people of the popular baths. Countless buildings adorn the road, which, starting from the Dajlan Bridge, ends beyond the King’s baths.
This Sunday K.T.A.M. has organized a school up to Durrës. The bus, which included another Albanian tourist, cheerfully took us to the popular baths. We were accompanied by our director, Mr. Zoi Xoxa. To put it bluntly, the line in front of nearly 300 modern villas lined up as if they had never been before the sea urchin, gives the visitor of this part of Durrës the impression of a fountain of a new city and the preliminary plot. The strong sun, which seemed to lie flat on the sea and plunges into the bay of the beach, seems to gather the others that will face in one language but in a white veil in the seals here- hence the shadow of building packages.
Folk Baths
In the popular baths easy production of fundamental change: the owners and the bar. Previously, the slightly dynamic direction of Mr. Rexhep Breshka, who seeing that the turtle walks slowly and did not adapt to the exigencies of progress, easily decide to change the surname in Çakri. In fact, as soon as they entered the popular baths, I noticed a sign of hope at a low and expensive price, you can also say it in the low, in the drinks and on behalf of the owners of the bar: Noti Strati and Rexhep Çakri. I once said that Rexhep Breshka had not dethroned in the village, and I wish they had not regretted it, as if this had happened, because of a weakness, this gentleman has been the pioneer of these men. But no, Rexhep Breshka has only changed his last name and let the enemies burst. Folk baths have changed color and service; I was painted white, wire and cement ceilings, upholstered beds, four sheets no longer patchwork, but white as snow and Cambrian front and front towels, comfortable tables and chairs and showers, six seven showers in the local to modernize. In everything that moves there, feel water and purity be written.
Servants from Tirana
All those who have had the opportunity to visit the popular baths of Durrës first, will have found that there you eat badly and expensive, heavy dishes for the stomach and pocket; now Not Strati and Rexhep Çakëri have brought specialist chefs from Gjinokastra and they will probably do this to remove any doubts or misunderstandings that someone might think that, by taking a chef here from afar, it was possible to get in the middle smuggling. So far, far away, let us take care of our belly. The servants, those who serve you in the popular baths are generally brought from the most visible hotels and cafes of Tirana and Durrës. Who does not know Koço mouth-sweet, fast and caring who once faced our service to the local Kursal? White jacket, black pants, strong collar, black tie, nobility, respect and esteem for the client, then speed.
Some support
If the well-known Mayor of Durrës helped the owners of the bathrooms, we would really have something to be proud of, our first beach. An orchestra, another bus, that by accompanying those two present ones could bring hour by hour the amateurs of the sea, it would be worthwhile to weigh this not only as a progressive work, but as a social charity. On Sunday this beach was honored by the visit of a bus full of Germans and Austrians, men and women. At the top of them is the powerful German minister. A large table was filled in the popular Baths with these foreign tourists pouring their labor on Albanian soil. They eat and drink, always incessantly; are all blondes and have almost a physiognomy; i do not know how they get to know each other, but i believe that sometimes they will exchange husband-wife for another. Take women, for example: their faces are red and white; sky blue or green eyes, smooth or curly hair, but all blondes without exception, and healthy. Looks like they came from a factory. Then they sing: Germany and Austria almost have a standard type of song: I also learned what was sung on Sunday once here and twenty years ago in Austrian schools. Now I feel we can sing with the same longing for a distant homeland, with the same young, contemporary spirit.
Kanga of the sea
Phasmagoric memories are drawn at the bottom of the sea; a gramophone behind me tears some Viennese waltzes, thence some boys from Tirana play cards, while in a can some old men who come perhaps to regain some of the energy lost in the salty waters of the sea, think you have the flight of ruthless of life. Afternoon: warm; from the almost naked bodies of mankind comes a scent of scorched flesh and sweat softened by the invisible layer of salt. The sun pours silver broth over the color of the sea dust. Let’s look at Durrës from here, it looks like a magical castle poured into a low sky. The dust of the earth mixed with the dust of light covers the purple hills like a mist. Her life seems to be all a dream; we wake up not too late, but always too early to get back to work routine. Farewell Bathroom. (NICHTS) /Memorie.al
