Monument to Mother Teresa, Shkodër

Statue in Shkodër

Mother Tereze Statue Shkodër
Mother Tereze Statue Shkodër
CC BY-SA 1.0 / Shkelzen A. Rexha

The Monument to Mother Teresa is a modest but meaningful landmark in central Shkodër, set close to the city's main pedestrian promenade and within easy walking distance of Ebu Bekr Mosque. It's not a “big attraction” in the ticketed sense, but it's the kind of place you naturally pause at while exploring the centre, especially because it sits right where Shkodër's everyday life flows past cafés, parks, and the promenade.

What makes it memorable is the symbolism: Mother Teresa (Nënë Tereza), depicted in her familiar sari with a calm, prayerful presence, feels perfectly in tune with Shkodër's reputation for coexistence and layered spiritual identity. This spot is one of the best places to see in Shkodër if you like small landmarks that add meaning to your route, and it fits effortlessly into a walking tour of Shkodër without requiring extra planning.

History and Significance of the Monument to Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje in 1910 and became internationally known for her humanitarian work in India, including founding the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. For Albanians, her legacy carries a special resonance because of her Albanian roots and the way her life became a global symbol of compassion, humility, and service.

In Shkodër, the monument's significance goes beyond biography. Placed in the city centre near major civic and religious landmarks, it functions as a quiet marker of shared values in a place where different traditions sit close together in daily life. Even if you're not visiting for faith-related reasons, it's a meaningful reminder of Shkodër's identity as a historic, plural city.

It’s also a helpful “wayfinding” landmark: many travelers notice it naturally while moving between the promenade, the mosque, and the surrounding squares. That ordinary visibility is part of the point-this isn’t a hidden memorial, but a public symbol integrated into the city’s everyday rhythm.

Things to See and Do in the Monument to Mother Teresa

Treat this as a short, intentional stop rather than a destination you build a whole morning around. Walk around the pedestal, take in the details of the bronze figure, and notice how the setting shifts between the calm of the nearby green space and the bustle of the surrounding streets.

If you enjoy context-driven sightseeing, pair the monument with nearby landmarks that highlight Shkodër’s multi-faith centre. The contrast is part of what makes this stop work: a Catholic saint’s memorial within a few minutes’ walk of key Muslim and civic sites, all stitched together by the promenade.

For photography, the best approach is simple: take a few frames, then move on. The monument tends to photograph best when the light is softer and the promenade is lively enough to feel “real,” but not so crowded that you can’t pause comfortably.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Monument to Mother Teresa

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Best time to visit: Early evening is ideal when the promenade atmosphere is at its best and the light is softer for photos.
  • How long to spend: Plan 10-20 minutes, or longer if you’re using it as a natural pause between nearby sights.
  • Accessibility: It’s centrally located on mostly flat streets, making it easy to include even if you’re keeping walking gentle.
  • Facilities: Use the surrounding promenade area for cafés and restrooms, since this is an outdoor landmark rather than a staffed site.

Where to Stay Close to the Monument to Mother Teresa

For most travelers, the best area to base yourself is central Shkodër near the pedestrian streets and main promenade for a culture-heavy itinerary, while a more edge-of-centre base only makes sense if your priority is quick transport links for day trips.

For a comfortable, walk-everywhere stay close to the city’s core sights, Hotel Colosseo & Spa is a strong central pick. If you want a more traditional-feeling base that matches Shkodër’s historic atmosphere, Hotel Tradita Geg & Tosk is well placed for evenings on foot. For a classic full-service option near the centre’s main squares, Shkodër Grand Hotel Europa works well when comfort and convenience are priorities.

Is the Monument to Mother Teresa Worth Visiting?

Yes, as a quick and meaningful stop rather than a standalone attraction. It adds emotional texture to a day in Shkodër, especially if you're already exploring the promenade and want small landmarks that connect the city to wider Albanian identity.

It’s also worth it because it costs nothing and takes very little time, yet it anchors a central part of the city’s walking loop. In a compact centre, those small “pause points” often become the places you remember most clearly.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (7)

Monument Nene Teresa in Shkodër sits in the city center and honors Mother Teresa (born Agnes Gonja Boyadzhiu); visitors note it as a beautiful, heartfelt tribute with a peaceful presence, easy to visit while exploring downtown.

Katarina Maljevic
2 years ago
""The greatest poverty is poverty of the heart." (from the diary of Mother Teresa). A beautiful monument in the city center of Mother Teresa. AgnesGonja Boyadzhiu - that was the name of Mother Teresa at birth. Gonja means "flower bud" in Albanian. She was born in a Catholic family in the city of Skopje...."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This is an easy family stop because it’s outdoors, brief, and centrally located. Keep it simple by using it as a short pause on your route, then continue to a nearby open space or café so kids don’t feel “stuck” at a statue.

If your children are old enough to be curious, it can also be a quick conversation starter about kindness, service, and why cities choose to honour certain people. The key is keeping the stop short and moving with the natural flow of the promenade.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, it works well as a small reflective moment in the middle of a city-centre stroll. Stop here, take in the calm of the figure and the setting, then continue into the promenade for a slow walk and an unhurried coffee.

It's especially nice in softer light, when Shkodër feels gentler and less hurried. Pairing it with nearby landmarks also makes for an easy, meaningful mini-route without overplanning.

Budget Travelers

Budget-wise, it’s a perfect inclusion: free, central, and naturally on foot. Use it as a waypoint while building a low-cost day around the promenade and one or two priority paid attractions.

It also helps with navigation, which matters when you’re walking everywhere. Once you’ve spotted it, you can orient yourself quickly between nearby squares and the main pedestrian streets.

FAQs for Visiting Monument to Mother Teresa

Getting There

It’s in central Shkodër near the main pedestrian promenade and close to Ebu Bekr Mosque. It’s easy to reach on foot from most city-centre accommodations.
Follow the pedestrian flow along Rruga Kolë Idromeno and nearby central streets, then look for the open square/park area where the monument sits. It’s a straightforward, flat walk once you’re in the centre.
A short taxi ride to the pedestrian zone is the simplest option, then you can finish on foot. If you’re already visiting the mosque or central museums, you’re likely within a few minutes’ walk.

Tickets & Entry

No-this is a public outdoor monument, so there’s no ticketing or entry control. You can stop by any time as part of a city-centre walk.
Keep the same respectful tone you would at any memorial: avoid climbing on the pedestal and keep noise low if others are pausing for reflection. A quick photo is fine, but it’s worth taking a moment to slow down.

Visiting Experience

Ten minutes is enough for a quick look and a few photos, especially if you’re using it as a waypoint between nearby sights. If you enjoy reflective stops, give it closer to 15-20 minutes.
Yes, because it’s central and essentially “on the way” to many other highlights. It’s a good small stop that adds meaning without taking time from bigger priorities.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It often appears naturally on self-guided city-centre loops between museums, the promenade, and nearby landmarks. If you’re walking the centre properly, you’re likely to pass it without trying.

Photography

Late afternoon and early evening usually give softer light and a more atmospheric promenade backdrop. Midday can be harsher, especially in summer, so photos can feel flatter.

Accessibility & Facilities

Generally yes, because it’s in the city centre with mostly flat approaches. Nearby cafés and benches make it easy to build in breaks as you go.

Nearby Attractions to the Monument to Mother Teresa

  • Ebu Bekr Mosque: Shkodër's prominent mosque with a calm interior and a strong sense of place in the city centre.
  • Marubi National Museum of Photography: A standout museum on the promenade that brings Shkodër's cultural identity to life through images.
  • Site of Witness and Memory: A deeply moving museum that adds essential 20th-century context to any Shkodër visit.
  • Rruga Kolë Idromeno promenade: The city's best pedestrian stretch for cafés, evening atmosphere, and easy strolling.
  • Sheshi 2 Prilli: A central square that helps you connect the city-centre landmarks into a coherent walking loop.

The Monument to Mother Teresa appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Shkodër!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free

Address: Monument Nene Tereza, Shkodër, Albania
Shkodër: 1 km

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