Albania has a long history of socialism and forced industrialization. Under its ruler Enver Hoxha, the state became a cruel dictatorship, where dissidents disappeared and wealth was concentrated among a small elite.

One of the industrial centers of Albania was Fier, a town and „Qark“ (district) located at the heart of the country’s infrastructure network. Roads and railways cross here, making Fier a perfect spot for the development of different industrial sectors.

However, what once gave economic growth to the city has become obsolete. In fact, the big industrial complex with their high rising towers is no longer needed. Today, it serves as the background for people working on their farms, herding their turkeys, or sitting in nearby kafana pubs.

For urban explorers, though, Fier has become an ideal destination to discover one of Europe's most impressive industrial lost places. My friends and I came here in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, trying to take a little break from the strict rules in Central Europe.

Albania, indeed, was a bit more relaxed. Bars were open, beaches accessible, and industrial places like Fier ready to be explored.

Albania's Lost Place: What to discover in Fier?

Passing through Fier, it's impossible to miss the massive industrial chimneys. We went here on purpose with our rental car, but even if you weren’t planning on spotting these ruins, they will eventually catch your eye.

The most prominent feature is the old power plant, which was once the largest in Albania. The massive cooling towers bore witness to the industrial development of the country - and eventually to its decline. Now they are creating a haunting, dystopian vibe right next to the farmers tilling their fields.

Cooling tower and oil tank

We ended up walking through these fields, approaching the massive concrete monoliths. Especially, standing beneath their open bases, supported by triangular concrete carriers, leaves you with unforgettable impression about the sheer size of the structures.

Water basin below the cooling towers

Apart from those concrete giants, you'll also find a couple of rusty metal constructions, mostly pipes and exhausts for the power plant along with buildings and tanks from the connected oil refinery.

Another landmark in the area is the fertilizer factory on the North side of the industrial complex. Established in the 60s, it remained in operation into the 90s, when Chinese companies overtook parts of the business. Natural gas and hot steam to produce the artificial fertilizer was provided by the nearby power plant.

The most striking feature of the factory is the absorption tower, which rises high above the whole complex. The entrance is open, and you can walk inside. Climbing the fragile, narrow staircase, I slowly made my way to the top. Once there, I looked into a tiny hole that revealed the emptiness and depth within the tower, and enjoyed the view across the entire area.

All in all, the Fier industrial complex is certainly one of the most impressive lost places on the Balkans. You'll need quite a lot of time to explore all the abandoned buildings. I would recommend to plan for at least two hours, better three or four if you want to climb up the absorption tower of the old fertilizer factory.

How to get to Fier, Albania?

The industrial complex of Fier, one of the most impressive lost places I have seen in recent years, isn't located right in the middle of the city but sprawls out along its Southern border. The E853 road (Rruga Unaza Nuredin Aliu) brings you directly to the power plant. Coming from the center, you will notice it on your left.

From there, you can turn onto one of the smaller side roads, pass by the farms next to the concrete ruins, and enter the abandoned area. After taking your photos, you can find quite a few kafanas on the main road. They serve surprisingly many vegetarian options like Fërgesë stew or stuffed aubergines, but also grilled kebabs and carafes of delicious white wine.

Blending in with Albanian bunkers

Also, don't miss the coastline itself. Fier is perfectly located between the beach town of Vlora, the Durrës port, and the capital Tirana. Along the way, you will bump into quite a few of the iconic round shaped bunkers that Enver Hoxha left in the country, fearing the outbreak of a nuclear war.

Location: PG2W+FH7, Road, Fier, Albania