Mother Teresa Statue (Nënë Tereza), Shkodër

Statue in Shkodër

CC BY-SA 1.0 / Shkelzen A. Rexha

In the heart of Shkodër, one of Albania's most historic and spiritual cities, stands a simple yet powerful statue of Mother Teresa (Nënë Tereza) — a symbol of compassion, humility, and faith. The monument, positioned near the Ebu Bekr Mosque and within walking distance of the city's main promenade, embodies the unity and coexistence that define Shkodër's multicultural identity. Cast in bronze and set upon a modest pedestal inscribed with her name, the statue depicts Mother Teresa in her familiar sari, hands joined in prayer, her expression gentle and contemplative. It serves not only as a memorial to her life but also as a reminder of the human values that transcend religion, nation, and time.

Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje (then part of the Ottoman Empire, now North Macedonia) in 1910, was of Albanian descent — her parents hailed from the northern Albanian region of Shkodër and Mirdita. From a young age, she was drawn to a life of service. At just 18, she joined the Sisters of Loreto and moved to India, where she would dedicate the rest of her life to serving the poor and the sick. In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order devoted to caring for “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers — all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for.”

Her tireless humanitarian work in the slums of Calcutta (Kolkata) brought her international acclaim and deep affection across cultures. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognized for her commitment to uplifting the most destitute members of society. Despite global fame, she remained a figure of humility, often insisting that her work was simply “a drop in the ocean,” encouraging others to add their own drops of kindness.

For Albanians, Mother Teresa holds a profound national and spiritual significance. Her statue in Shkodër stands as a tribute not just to a woman of faith, but to an enduring link between Albania and one of humanity's greatest moral figures. Canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by the Vatican in 2016, she remains a symbol of mercy and devotion. Visitors to the Shkodër monument often pause for reflection or prayer, finding in her likeness a sense of peace and a call to compassion — perfectly in tune with the city's deep religious roots and culture of tolerance.

The Mother Teresa Statue (Nënë Tereza), Shkodër appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Shkodër!

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