Iron-Nickel Ore Enrichment Plant E-O

Ruins of an ore enrichment plant and the tunnels of a former mine. Iron and nickel were extracted here. The operation was shut down and abandoned in the 1990s. According to local residents, the mine workings run deep into the mountain and emerge in neighbouring villages.

The tall factory buildings have been turned into an art installation by an Albanian artist-journalist who, using rappelling gear and paint, covered the walls with hundreds of ladybirds.

There is no security, but some of the buildings are home to a group of Roma with a whole lot of children and dogs. Oddly enough, they speak Italian. They will insistently offer you strong alcohol and show off their weapons.