Original article (in Albanian) was published on 09/06/2026; Author: Patris Pustina
At the end of May 2026, as citizens and environmental activists protested against a project linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Trump, planned for the protected Zvërnec-Nartë landscape, a claim circulated on social media alleging that buildings “resembling the Tower of Babel” had already been constructed near Zvërnec. Beyond their architectural appearance, it is also claimed that these structures contain “places of worship for Jews, frequently visited by Alex Soros.” While some narratives surrounding the protests have been tied to the Jewish background of investor Jared Kushner and claims about land being sold to Israel, the post in question provides no credible evidence for these assertions and has nevertheless gained significant attention from users.
However, the buildings shown in the images above are not newly constructed and have no connection to Jewish religious sites.
They are residential and administrative facilities belonging to the Petrolifera Italo-Albanese (PIA) port in Vlora. The tallest structure is the port’s navigation lighthouse, while the other four buildings function as residences for the Albanian staff of Petrolifera and their families. This arrangement is part of the company’s practice in other locations as well, where administrative staff reside within the port area, not only for logistical purposes but also to ensure high safety standards in the operational zone for fuel processing.
When contacted by Faktoje, Edmond Bedini, director of the La Petrolifera Italo Albanese Sh.A. (PIA) terminal, confirmed that the structures shown in the photos are part of the terminal complex. “In these buildings live the director and deputy director, who, for operational and security reasons, must reside close to the terminal, and they are also used as residences for our Italian colleagues when they are in Vlora,” Bedini said.
He added: “The residences were built between 2007 and 2009, at the same time as the construction of the terminal, which is located on private land. Among the various approvals granted for the PIA terminal, I can mention the one from the Albanian Parliament, voted on May 13, 2004.”
Images of these uniquely shaped buildings date back to 2009, and they also appear in satellite imagery of the area from 2011. They have served as locations for cultural events.
According to the architect who designed the buildings, Patrizia Pozzi, their spiral shape was inspired by the natural spiral form of a seashell found on the beach, and it was intended as a way for the buildings to coexist harmoniously with nature.
