The Cloud (Reja) is a walk-through pavilion of thin white steel bars designed by the Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, standing on the lawn in front of the National Gallery of Arts on the main boulevard. It’s free, it’s always open, and it looks best at night when it’s lit up.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Where | Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit, in front of the National Gallery of Arts (Google Maps) |
| Price | Free |
| Time needed | 5–10 minutes |
Fujimoto first designed the structure in 2013 as the summer pavilion for the Serpentine Gallery in London. It was rebuilt in Tirana and opened in May 2016 as a public art and events space. You can walk inside and sit on its stepped terraces, and from some angles it really does look like a cloud.
The Cloud was also meant to be used, not just looked at. It works as a small open-air venue, and the Municipality of Tirana runs a programme of activities here with local cultural groups, artists, schools and community organisations, from concerts and theatre to talks and workshops. If you pass by on a summer evening, there’s a fair chance something is going on. The Municipality of Tirana’s page on The Cloud has more about the space and its events.
Honestly, it’s a quick stop. The structure hasn’t always been well looked after, and the National Gallery behind it has been closed for renovation. But it’s right on your way between Skanderbeg Square and the Pyramid, so it’s worth a look as you pass.
