Bofill

Tirana

Set on Lapidari Hill above Tirana, the sanctuary approaches sacred space through a close relationship with the surrounding landscape. The complex is composed of three primary volumes—a church, a monument and a pavilion—embedded into the sloping terrain and connected by a slow, ascending path that guides visitors from city views toward an open horizon. Five symbolic gardens appear along the way, creating quiet moments for pause and reflection. Inside, the church follows a cruciform geometry where natural light enters through filtered openings and stained-glass tower windows. The material palette draws from the blue and white colours associated with Mother Teresa, giving the architecture a sense of clarity, restraint and spiritual simplicity.