Mustafa Lleshi Street

Mustafa Lleshi Street (Albanian: Rruga Mustafa Lleshi) is a pedestrian only street in Tirana, the capital of Albania. It is named after Mustafa Lleshi, a World War II Albanian hero.

Prior to the 1990s, the area was largely villas, fields, and fruit orchards. With the reintroduction of private property in Albania, many villas were sold and demolished to build apartment buildings. The area has retained several of the older villas, though they remain hidden behind walls, shrubs and vines. Cars were not common in those times, and as such the introduction of cars has led to the removal of sidewalks in the area, but Mustafa Lleshi Street has remained a pedestrian only walkway.

The student protests of 1990 followed Mustafa Lleshi Street into the city center.

At the intersection of Pjeter Budi Street and Mustafa Lleshi Street, there once stood a giant olive tree, and the corner was known as "Ulliri" (Olive in English). Many people today still know the area by this name, although have never seen the tree.

It is said that prior to 1990, residents could list every neighbour living within the vicinity by first name.

It begins at the Elbasan Street and continues as a pedestrian only walkway until merging with Pjetër Budi Street, which continues to the Student City (Albanian: Qytet Studenti). It is a major pedestrian thoroughfare, and is also used by cyclists and motorcycles.

It is a narrow walkway, yet is traveled by thousands of people daily, mostly young people. Before and after weekends and holidays, the street is often full of students wheeling suitcases back and forth from their homes outside of Tirana and their home in Tirana at the Student City and beyond to Farke.

Food and drink shops consist of byrek stands, fruit markets, pizza and fast food, cafes, pubs, bakeries and mini markets. Clothing and accessory shops are abundant, and range from used vintage clothing to modern and trendy fashions, shoes, jewelry, perfume and cosmetics. There are also sports-bets and computer services, as well as pharmacies, tailors, general repairs shops, artist studios and an arts management studio.

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Wikipedia