August 20 marks the start of the annual pilgrimage to Mount Tomorri, a sacred mountain where Abbas Ali—a revered saint in the family of the Prophet Muhammad—is believed to rest. Every year from August 20 to August 25, the Bektashi community hosts its holy festival at the Kulmak Tekke, drawing thousands of pilgrims from across Albania and abroad. People of all backgrounds and faiths gather at the shrine to take part in the celebrations and experience the spiritual traditions of the Bektashi order.

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Municipal workers, fire services, and civil emergency structures will be on the ground, according to the Mayor of Kurbin Majlinda Cara. Complementing these efforts, parish priest Dom Land Jaku announced that the Church of St. Anthony has finalized all arrangements to ensure a smooth pilgrimage.

For years, the Church of St. Anthony in Laç has drawn thousands of citizens from across Albania. Culminating on June 13, every Tuesday transforms this holy site—which transcends all religious boundaries—into a unifying epicenter of prayer and pilgrimage for people from every corner of the country.

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The site in northwest Albania remained frequented even during the communist era, though visits were not organised. The church was destroyed in 1971 under the former regime and rebuilt in 1990, shortly before the revival of religious practices in the country.

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) on Tuesday recalled a 1995 photograph from the early years of renewed religious freedom, when the pilgrimage had resumed and began drawing large crowds.

Each year, the site attracts significant numbers of pilgrims during this period, with attendance in the final days estimated to reach up to 500,000 visitors. Many believers hold that spending a night near the church can bring healing and good fortune.

The church dates back to around 1300, when it was first built by Franciscan friars. After attending the site for 13 consecutive Tuesdays, pilgrims gather for the main day of St. Anthony, which falls on June 13 and draws worshippers from across Albania and the diaspora.

The pilgrimage season begins in March and culminates on June 13, blending religious devotion with a long-standing cultural tradition.

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Mount Tomorr is a sacred site to Bektashi people who honor Abbas ibn Ali during an annual pilgrimage on August 18–25.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today moments from this pilgrimage in the social media.

“The pilgrimage to Mount Tomorri, a tradition that brings together hundreds of thousands of believers from all over Albania and the Diaspora every year, to feel together the spiritual power of this holy place,” said PM Rama.

Every year, thousands of pilgrims arrive at the Tekke of Kulmak from all over Albania but also from other areas where Albanians live.

For the smooth running of this pilgrimage, Berat Police has drawn up a plan of measures by patrolling all the roads leading to the mountain.

The believers set up their tents in this holy place, performing not only the holiday sacrifice, but also climbing the peak of Mount Tomorri, which is located 2416 meters above sea level. /m.m/p.s./

All believers and pilgrims of different religious belongings who join this holy pilgrimage are supposed to sacrifice a lamb as an expression of kindness for themselves and their families.

Bektashi World Leader, His Holiness, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj said today in an appearance to the media that all measures have been taken to serve the citizens.

“The Bektashi Headquarters has taken the appropriate measures these days of the pilgrimage, water and sanitary things to support the pilgrims”, said Brahimaj.

He also took the opportunity to call on the pilgrims to be more careful while burning the candles in context of the fire situation. He reminded them of the situation last week when due to the hot weather, Mount Tomori was engulfed in flames.

“We have taken measures so that everything goes smoothly”, said Brahimaj.

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The annual pilgrimage on top of Mount Tomor reaches its peak on August 22 with the slaughter of sheep and lambs, and with pilgrims performing rituals such as painting foreheads in blood in honor of cleric Abbas Ali, barbecuing and lighting candles and praying at the saint’s tomb.

The Holy Bektashi festival is celebrated every August 20 to 25.

Every year, thousands of pilgrims and faithful from all over Albania and other countries gather at the landmark Kulmak tekke to seek healing. The tekke was set up in honor of Abbas Ali who is largely believed to have been buried in a tyrbe (mausoleum) on the southern peak of Mount Tomor and is venerated there by pilgrims. His tyrbe, constructed in 1620, later became a Bektashi pilgrimage site, being a few hundred meters above the Bektashi tekke there, which was built in 1916.

The annual pilgrimage continues to unite people of different faiths in Albania, who pray for peace, serenity, better health for their families and relatives. Many believe in the healing properties and miraculous power of the holy site.

The locals called the mountain Baba Tomorr (Father Tomorr) and he is one of the prominent mythological figures in Albanian folklore.

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The wondrous Mount Tomorr has stood proudly at the heart of Albanian folklore and mythology throughout the ages, and has also become an important destination for spiritual pilgrims as it is home to a local Bektashi temple.

If you are visiting the holy mount of Tomorr, the National Agency for the Protected Areas proposes a very interesting itinerary for hiking and pilgrimage.

The Agency said that hiking in the Holy Mount of Tomor is an amazing experience. The region’s holy mountain unfolds great beauties and a unique view of the wild surroundings.

The 7.28-km long trail from Abaz Ali Tomb to Kulmak tekke unfolds a scenery landscape and the most picturesque areas along it.

Along the trail, visitors may come across various species of flora such as pine, oak, various trees and bushes, as well as rich wild fauna, including wolf, bear, fox, squirrel, wild boar, badger, and varios bird species.

The annual pilgrimage started some days ago and the festival is set to reach its peak on August 25.

Tomorr National Park covers a territory of 24,723 ha and lies in east of the museum city of Berat. Resembling a natural castle framed by lofty peaks, it is snow-covered in the winter, and holds tremendous religious significance for the Abaz Aliu tribe which lives nearby. The Bektashi community also calls this area home, and organizes a large religious festival every August.

Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most visited destinations in Albania. Tourists from all over the world explore the architectural style, cultural sites and other attractions such as the Canyons of Osumi River.

National Mount Tomorr Park is home to a diversity of flora and fauna, dense vegetation and different heights that offer stunning landscape of mountain and adventure tourism

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Prime Minister Edi Rama has published on his social media account photos from this pilgrimage where thousands of citizens have headed to the holy site, despite different religious beliefs.

“Good morning and with the belief that on this marked day of the closing of the annual pilgrimage of 13 Tuesdays to the Church of St. Anthony, wishes and prayers will be heard for all pilgrims from Albania and the Diaspora, who despite different religious beliefs flock every year to this holy site with humility before God, I wish you all a good week ahead, ” writes Rama.

There are 13 Tuesdays observed by believers until the day of St. Anthony. Numerous pilgrims flock to this holy site every Tuesday to find spiritual warmth, praying for peace, health, harmony and prosperity.

Pilgrims come from all over the country and represent different faiths. They believe in the miracles of the Church of Laç, so they visit the holy site.

Thousands of people travel every week to the Saint Anthony Church in Laç until the day of June 13, which culminates with the feast of this saint and the number of pilgrims goes over 1 million.

Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro shared today a view of this small church, which is located in one of the beautiful panoramic points above Lipë of Përmet.

“Today, it is a day of pilgrimage for the believers of Përmet, who honor St. Constantine and Helen and who visit the small church in the cave, in one of the beautiful panoramic spots on Lipa of Përmet where red peonies stand out like nowhere else,” said Kumbaro.

Minister Kumbaro said that, “The small treasures of Përmet do not end”.

The church is located on a steep hill and the trail offers a magnificent view of the Vjosa Valley. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media views of the new road, which cuts the travel the time and makes easier the movement of numerous visitors to Mount Tomor, but also opens a new perspective for tourism in this blessed area.

“Here’s the new pilgrimage route to the Holy Peak of Tomori”, said Rama.

The road is 23 kilometres long; it cuts into 30 minutes the travel time to the tekke of Abaz Ali, a distance that previously needed about 2 hours.

Meanwhile, all the squares near the tekke have been rehabilitated to create a more suitable environment for all believers, while the new road has turned the area into a tourist attraction./m.m/p.s./