The Vlorë UFO 1933 Incident: The Milan Report
In the spring of 1933, a strange and still unexplained aerial phenomenon occurred over the coastal city of Vlorë, Albania. Known today as the “Vlorë UFO 1933” sighting, this event has remained on the fringes of European UFO lore, referenced primarily in a series of obscure diplomatic documents dubbed the Milan Report. With multiple credible witnesses and unusual flight characteristics, the Vlorë incident stands as one of Albania’s earliest modern UFO mysteries.
A Strange Object Over the Adriatic
The incident took place in April 1933, when several residents of Vlorë reported seeing a metallic, disc-shaped object gliding silently across the evening sky. The object was described as silver in colour, with a reflective surface that caught the fading sunlight. Witnesses claimed it moved deliberately, maintaining altitude before vanishing abruptly over the Adriatic Sea. No sound was reported, and no known aircraft matched its appearance or behaviour.
Local officials initially dismissed the sighting as a misidentified aeroplane or atmospheric illusion. However, further reports emerged from nearby villages and fishing boats, all describing the same silent object performing controlled movements far beyond the capabilities of 1930s aviation.
The Milan Report: A Mysterious Dossier
What truly sets the Vlorë UFO 1933 sighting apart is the so-called Milan Report — a collection of diplomatic communications allegedly compiled by the Italian consulate in Vlorë. At the time, Albania was under significant Italian political and economic influence, and surveillance of unusual activity in the region was common.
According to leaked fragments of the Milan Report, Italian officials recorded several ”anomalous aerial occurrences” along the southern Albanian coastline during the spring and summer of 1933. Though much of the document remains classified or lost, references to a “silent disc” and “metallic craft” correlate strongly with local witness statements. These reports were supposedly forwarded to authorities in Rome, though no formal investigation was ever made public.
Could It Have Been Human Technology?
Some historians and aviation experts have speculated that the object might have been an early military prototype — possibly an experimental Italian or German aircraft. However, no such aircraft with the described hovering or silent flight capabilities existed in the early 1930s. The idea of a drone or remote-controlled vehicle is even less likely, as such technology was still in its infancy and confined to basic radio-control tests.
The lack of engine noise, coupled with the object’s abrupt disappearance, continues to confound researchers. Weather balloons and celestial misidentifications have been proposed, but none convincingly match the descriptions given by multiple unrelated witnesses over a span of several days.
Why the Vlorë UFO 1933 Incident Still Matters
The 1933 Vlorë sighting remains significant not only for its early date but also for its documentation in official diplomatic channels. Unlike many UFO sightings which rely solely on anecdotal testimony, this case involves reports that made their way into international political records.
Albania’s position between East and West, along with its relative isolation during the 20th century, may have contributed to the lack of global attention given to the case. Nevertheless, the Vlorë UFO 1933 incident deserves renewed interest, both for its historical value and for its relevance in the wider study of unidentified aerial phenomena across Europe.
Visiting Vlorë Today
Modern-day Vlorë is a thriving seaside city known for its beautiful beaches, Ottoman-era architecture, and relaxed Mediterranean charm. For those intrigued by the Vlorë UFO 1933 story, visiting the city offers a chance to walk the same coastline where the strange object was seen nearly a century ago.
The area around the old port and Lungomare promenade provides panoramic views of the Adriatic, perfect for imagining the path of the mysterious craft. While there are no official markers commemorating the event, local history enthusiasts are often willing to share stories passed down through generations. Vlorë is easily accessible by road from Tirana and offers a range of accommodations for travellers interested in both history and mystery.