Sophia R.

Sophia studied modern European history in Berlin and has written extensively about war memorials and hidden stories of 20th-century conflict.

The most recent posts by
Sophia
R.

Enver Hoxha’s Mausoleum: The Rise and Fall of Albania’s Communist Shrine

Abandoned & Forgotten

Enver Hoxha’s Mausoleum: The Rise and Fall of Albania’s Communist Shrine

Explore the fascinating transformation of the Pyramid of Tirana, originally built as a mausoleum for Albania’s dictator Enver Hoxha. Once a symbol of oppression and isolation, this iconic structure has been repurposed as a vibrant cultural center, hosting art, music, and community events.

Sophia R.

Albania’s Bunkers: The Legacy of Enver Hoxha’s Paranoid Dictatorship

Abandoned & Forgotten

Albania’s Bunkers: The Legacy of Enver Hoxha’s Paranoid Dictatorship

Explore the eerie story of Albania’s 750,000 bunkers, built under the paranoid rule of communist dictator Enver Hoxha. Discover how these concrete relics—once symbols of isolation and fear—reflect the extremes of totalitarianism, the economic burden on a struggling nation, and Albania’s ongoing struggle to reconcile with its past.

Verdun: The Battlefield That Defined World War I

Explore the Battle of Verdun, the longest and bloodiest conflict of World War I, where nearly 1 million soldiers perished in a brutal war of attrition. Discover its origins, key phases, and enduring legacy as a symbol of sacrifice, with preserved trenches and the Douaumont Ossuary offering poignant reminders of war’s human cost.

Sophia R.

Sophia R.

The most recent posts bySophiaR.

Enver Hoxha’s Mausoleum: The Rise and Fall of Albania’s Communist Shrine

Albania’s Bunkers: The Legacy of Enver Hoxha’s Paranoid Dictatorship

Verdun: The Battlefield That Defined World War I

The most recent posts by
Sophia
R.