This photo was taken in 2007 – the statue portrays Albanian hero Skanderbeg on horseback, with the central mosque and clock tower in the background.

Skanderbeg was a fierce warrior who organised his 10,000 strong army to lead a rebellion against the occupying Ottoman Empire, securing many victories against significantly larger forces, who were also better equipped.

I returned to Tirana in 2017 to find the square looking very different to how it had looked 11 years previously. However, the statue remains as the focal point.

You will soon be able to read about my travels by train across the whole Balkans with the release of my new book. More details coming soon.

Skanderbeg Square, Tirana, Albania