Shpirag

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Shpirag is a limestone massif about 5 km from the historic center of Berat in south-central Albania. It rises to 1,198 meters (3,930 feet) above sea level. The massif has a long crest and a narrow ridge that slopes quickly from north to south, with low hills around it, making it easy to spot on maps.

On the eastern side there is a huge stone sign with the inscription ENVER, honoring communist leader Enver Hoxha. The northeastern slopes show a network of parallel streams that weathered into a pattern, giving the impression of lines and earning the nickname Mali me vija, or “Mountain with lines.” Near the northwest end are karst water springs in the village of Sinjë. The area has scarce vegetation, with scattered Mediterranean oaks.

The ENVER sign was created in 1969 in just 15 days by local volunteers. Telescopes were used from the balcony of Berat’s former Executive Committee building and from Berat Castle to help align the letters, and signals were sent by radio and army telephones. The letters were built from natural slate stones taken from the Osum river bed and fixed with lime mortar. Each letter is about 80 meters long and 40 meters wide, with the lines about 2 meters thick.

After the regime fell in 1994, there were attempts to remove the stones, and the Albanian army even tried napalm, but the sign remained.