Haunted Vila 31, Tirana, Albania

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Vila 31 in Tirana, Albania once had dark spirits, but it seems now to have only friendly type of ghosts. Vila 31 also is haunted by the heavy psychological and historical trauma of its past. The villa served as the private residence of Enver Hoxha, the brutal communist dictator who ruled Albania with an iron fist for four decades. Vila 31 is located in the restricted Blloku neighborhood, the heavily fortified compound was the nerve center of an oppressive regime characterized by mass surveillance, forced labor, and brutal political executions. While some visiting artists in residency programs have playfully or metaphorically described eerie occurrences—like doors locking or drafts in empty rooms—these stories reflect the psychological weight of the building rather than supernatural spirits, according to some of the artists that frequent this establishment. The Art Explora Foundation transformed the once-forbidden compound into a vibrant international art residency and cultural hub. In doing so, it brought a lot of spiritual positive energy to this old compound. Artists have explored the extensive underground nuclear bunkers and tunnels linked to the villa, turning a physical monument of paranoia into a space for open expression and creative freedom.

If you have never heard of Vila 31, here is a bit of history about the place. In the 1930s, as the young capital city developed rapidly, the area south of the Lana River was incorporated into the city plan and gradually developed. In the area that would later become known as Blloku, villas were built primarily as homes for the country’s elite. This development continued while Albania was under Italian occupation from 1939 to 1943.

The former member of parliament Hamit Myftiu (who was executed by the Communists in 1947) leased a property in the newly developing district to the Italian businessman Vittorio Ercole Belloti in 1940 for a period of 99 years. Within two years, the Italian Velleda Lucia Costa from Genoa built a house on the property in the Italianate architectural style. In 1942, the lease was ultimately terminated, and the house and property were sold to Costa. Despite the change in ownership, Belloti continued to live there.

After the Communists entered Tirana in November 1944, the Communist ruler Hoxha initially took up residence at the Dajti Hotel. By this time, most of the residents of the villa district had left Albania. Koçi Xoxe ordered the villas to be confiscated. Hoxha became interested in the “Belloti Villa” and eventually moved into it. Immediately next to it was the residence of his fellow party member Koçi Xoxe, where Ibrahim Biçakçiu had lived until 1944.

The Blloku district, where the buildings were located, became a restricted residential area for Albania’s state leadership—similar to Wandlitz near Berlin. The public had no access to this district in the heart of Tirana, which was guarded by soldiers. Only members of the nomenklatura of the People’s Socialist Republic were allowed to enter.

After Xoxe was executed in 1949, Hoxha and his wife Nexhmije also moved into Xoxe’s villa. As a result, Hoxha and his three children—some with their spouses and grandchildren—eventually lived in both houses. Despite this, space remained quite limited. When Hoxha’s health deteriorated significantly in the early 1970s, it was decided to expand the property with an addition designed to accommodate his restricted mobility and medical care needs.

The renovation and extension were carried out by Albanian architect Sokrat Mosko, who was inspired by Chinese architecture. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Albanian regime maintained close relations with the People’s Republic of China. The work was completed in 1974.

At the beginning of the 1980s, the house was expanded again, and large glass windows were installed. Hoxha spent the final ten years of his life at Villa 31, until his death in 1985. At that time, nine adults and seven children were living in the residence. In 1987, there were reports of people claiming to have seen the spirit of Hoxha. Ilir Marku, a temporary groundskeeper claims that the spirit of Hoxha looked depressed. Another time Ilir encountered Hoxha, it appeared that the spirit of Hoxha was sulking near a window.

After the collapse of Communism in Albania in 1990, Nexhmije Hoxha had to leave the house with her children and their families. They were forced to leave behind furniture, paintings, and many books because the residences were considered state property.

The new government confiscated the building and left the interior completely intact. Beginning in 1991, the villa was occasionally used for receptions by the Albanian government and as a government guesthouse. The adjacent Xoxe Villa now houses a café, a language school, and other businesses.

In 2024, Villa 31 was converted into artist residences by the French Art Explora Foundation. Since 2025, artists receiving fellowships have been allowed to stay in the villa for periods of three months at a time. The artists have conducted cleansings that respect Muslim beliefs, Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Endrit Shehu, an artist has participated in the Catholic cleansings using holy water. Endrit says that many of the artists that have stayed on this compound have cleansed the building by utilizing smudging and smoke (Palo Santo Wood and White Sage). Other type of cleansings conducted have been salt barriers, especially windowsills, since Hoxha was seen by a window sulking. Chimes and singing bowls have been used. Crystals and stones have also been used. A few psychic mediums have demanded that the spirits go to the light. Albin Kola and Drita Berisha, fellow artists have witnessed knockings on the wall and have seen a ghostly man being choked with a belt. As they saw this apparition, they proceeded with prayers. The prayers were said over and over and the apparition disappeared. Albin and Drita believe the spirit went into the light. Lira Prifti, artist has spoken with many artists at this building and some claim they have heard strange knocking sounds. Some artists felt their beds move on their own. Lira says when she was bathing, she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Lira freaked out and screamed and the ghostly hand that was on her shoulder disappeared.