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All Albania Lady Bug Buildings
AO Edited

Lady Bug Buildings

Decorated with a staggering 1,380 ladybugs, the installation has turned what was once a grim, forgotten nickel mine into a landmark and a statement.

Përrenjas, Albania

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Michael Hussey
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Driving past the Lady Bug buildings on route E852   mphnyc / Atlas Obscura User
Driving past the Lady Bug buildings on route E852   mphnyc / Atlas Obscura User
Signature of the artist - completed 27-Aug-2018   mphnyc / Atlas Obscura User
Driving past the Lady Bug buildings on route E852   mphnyc / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the town of Prrenjas, situated in eastern Albania, a once-dilapidated industrial relic has been transformed into a captivating landmark. Artist Eljan Tanini took a pair of abandoned nickel mining towers—vestiges of Albania's failed industrial aspirations under communist rule—and transformed them with an astonishing 1,380 ladybugs. Symbolizing femininity and good fortune, these ladybugs are a vibrant nod to the town's female mayor and its broader identity.

During the rule of communist leader Enver Hoxha, Albania underwent a period of intense industrialization while being cut off from the rest of the world. This left a legacy of aging factories, bunkers, and mining facilities scattered across the country. Since the fall of communism, these structures have largely been abandoned, standing as solemn monuments to a repressive past. However, art projects like the one in Përrenjas demonstrate the potential for turning these sites into symbols of renewal and hope.

The project was completed in just 22 days and features eco-friendly paint. The mining towers themselves go more than 300 meters underground. Additionally, a tree has sprouted 52 meters up on one of the towers, offering a striking symbol of nature's resilience.

As you traverse the intriguing landscape of Albania, a stop in Prrenjas offers a unique chance to witness this extraordinary confluence of industrial decay and contemporary artistic vision. Through initiatives like this, artists are helping to redefine Albania's historical scars as canvases for cultural expression, showing that even in the most unlikely places, there's room for beauty and change.

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Mining Abandoned Buildings Murals Bug

Know Before You Go

Përrenjas is a small town located in the eastern part of Albania, near the border with North Macedonia. It is not a major tourist destination, but its location makes it an interesting stop for those interested in exploring both countries or for those on their way to some of Albania's more scenic spots.

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mphnyc

Published

September 20, 2023

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  • https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=720574741720564
  • https://top-channel.tv/2018/08/27/art-mbi-germadha-nusepashke-ne-kullat-e-braktisura-te-minieres-ne-prrenjas/
Lady Bug Buildings
Rruga Zones Industriale
Përrenjas
Albania
41.066948, 20.538576
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Nearby Places

National Workshop For Handmade Paper

Ohrid, North Macedonia

miles away

Bunkers of Albania

Elbasan County, Albania

miles away

Abandoned Hotel Evropa

Oteshevo, North Macedonia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Albania

Albania

Europe

Places 26
Stories 3

Nearby Places

National Workshop For Handmade Paper

Ohrid, North Macedonia

miles away

Bunkers of Albania

Elbasan County, Albania

miles away

Abandoned Hotel Evropa

Oteshevo, North Macedonia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Albania

Albania

Europe

Places 26
Stories 3

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