Andrea Alessi, a major figure in European architecture of Albanian origin, was honored at an event in Zagreb. The Croatian Architects’ Association organized the event.

A photo exhibition accompanied the activity. Albanian-Croatian photographer Luka Mjeda showcased Alessi’s works.

Velimir Neidhardt, president of the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences, spoke at the event. So did Alda Bardhyli, director of the National Book and Reading Center, and architects Rilind Čočaj and Ardijan Karlo Gashi.

Andrea Nikolla Aleksi, known in Croatia as Adrija Alesi, was born in Durrës in 1425. After moving to Split, he became one of the greatest artists of the Dalmatian Renaissance.

His works often included inscriptions that showed his origin. As a young man, he studied with sculptor Mark Troja in Split. He created the statues at the Merchant’s Loggia in Ancona, Italy. He also painted 1454 frescoes in a Dalmatian church. His masterpiece is the Baptistery of Trogir in the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence.

Three years ago, the National Book and Reading Center signed a cooperation agreement to publish Alessi’s work in Albanian.

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