"Religion and Atheism in Albania - Part 1"
The Albanian communist dictatorship under Enver Hoxha (1944–1991) was one of the harshest regimes in Europe. It suppressed nearly every aspect of political, social, and cultural life.
In 1967, during the so-called “cultural and ideological revolution,” Hoxha declared the eradication of religion a central political goal. At that time, Albania was not only the only communist country but also the only country in the world to officially establish atheism as state doctrine and anchor it in the constitution. Party cadres and youth brigades stormed churches, mosques, monasteries, and tekkes, tearing down crosses and minarets, smashing icons, and repurposing sacred spaces into sports halls, warehouses, and meeting places. Within months, a centuries-old religious tradition had been violently dismantled.
The systematic persecution left deep scars. Religious life all but disappeared under communism, with only ruins and memories as silent witnesses. In cities like Berat, mosques and churches were stripped of their original function, often desecrated or turned into storage facilities. After the fall of communism in the early 1990s, Albania began to restore its religious landscape. Many churches and mosques have since been rebuilt and shine again as centers of community life. Yet the trauma of decades of suppression is still felt, and the revival of faith continues to face challenges.
Religion in Albania was not only attacked politically but also manipulated through propaganda and art. In Berat, for example, a famous youth film from 1977 glorifying the communist resistance against German occupiers staged a dramatic battle scene by setting a church on fire. This cinematic act became symbolic of how the regime used culture to reinforce its ideology while simultaneously erasing religious heritage. Even today, these scars remain part of the city’s collective memory, illustrating how both politics and culture worked hand in hand to weaken Albania’s religious identity.
Watch the Religion and Atheism in Albania
to discover their powerful stories and the profound impact of their experiences in a bygone era