National History Museum
The National History Museum is the largest and most famous museum in Albania because it holds the historical facts and cultural heritage of the Albanians of the fourth Millenium BC until the second half of the 20th century. It was opened to the public on 28 October 1981 in Skanderbeg Square. About 5000 exhibited objects in a 18000m2 space provide curious visitors the past assets and evidence of our country. The museum is divided into eight pavilions: the Pavillion of Antiquity, the Pavillion of the Middle Ages, The Renaissance Pavilion, The Pavilion of Independence, the Albanian Iconography, the Anti-Fascist, The Pavilion of the Communist Terror and Mother Teresa.
The Pavilion of Antiquity
The Pavilion of Antiquity is the most important and one of the richest with objects in the National Historical Museum, with 400 objects. In the “National Historical Museum,” there is a silver laurel of an Illyrian prince, which was discovered in a monumental tomb in Lower Selca. The cultural life of the Illyrians can not be perceived without their gods, especially in the 4th century BC. The God of the War, Medaura appears on the side of an armed cavalryman, and the God of the sea Redon appears in the form of a man’s head on the profile. A bronze figurine depicts the Sphinx with a beautiful female face, eagle wings, and lion claws. The object is found in Antigone and dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also quite impressive are the mosaic of the “Beauty of Durres” (4th century BC), the head of Artemis (3rd century BC), the anthropomorphic appearance of river Vjosa (3rd or 2nd century BC), the head of a man of limestone (5th century AD) and “The Mosaic of the Mesaplic”.
Pavilion of the Middle Ages
In the Pavilion of the Middle Ages inside the National History Museum visitors have access to the economic, social, political, and cultural development of Albanians from the 6th century until the 15th. A particular corner in this pavilion is dedicated to the Principality of Arber. The handover of power from Skuraj to Topiaj is expressed in the heraldic emblem of Karl Topia located in the monumental portal of the monastery of John Vladimir in Elbasan. A particular object of the Pavilion of the Middle Ages is the Epitaph of Gllavenica, which dates back to the year 1373. With photos, documents and artifacts are given the resistance against the Ottoman occupation of Albanians, as well as key economic developments, the political and social life of the country through maps, engravings of the time and entirely original publications, the visitor knows Skanderbeg, who personifies the Struggle of the Albanians against the Ottoman Occupation.
The National Renaissance Pavilion
The National Renaissance Pavilion presents objects that show the cultural and economic development of Albania from the beginning of the XIX century till the beginning of the XX century such as Albanian handicrafts especially weapons, the map of trade links within the country and abroad, etc.
The Pavilion of Independence
The Pavilion of Independence reflects the key historical moments after the Declaration of Independence in 1912 until 1939. The Declaration (Proclamation) of Independence of Albania from the National Assembly of Vlora on 28 November 1912 and subsequently the formation of the Provisional Government of Albania constitute two essential acts of the Albanian national state. In the areas of this pavilion is reflected the Conference of Ambassadors in London (1912-1913) and the movement of June 1924 led by Fan Noli.
The Pavillion of Iconography
The Pavillion of Iconography reflects the Post-Byzantine art in Albania: icons, a proskynetarion, some pairs of Holy Doors and an iconostasis are on display in this pavilion. These objects belonged to different churches in Albania: Gjirokastra, Elbasani, Fieri, Berati, etc., dating from the 16th century until the early 19th century. Almost all the best painters who have left impressive works in the churches of Albania, Macedonia, and Greece, such as Onufri, Onufër Qiprioti, David Selenica, Kostandin Shpataraku, Kostandin Jeromonaku, the Zografi brothers, the Çetiri brothers, and Mihal Anagnosti are represented in this pavilion.
The Anti-fascist War Pavilion
The Anti-fascist War Pavilion has about 220 objects from the period of the War of Vlora (1920) until the 1930s following Benito Mussolini’s coming to power in Italy.
The Communist Pavilion
The Communist Pavilion was opened in 1996 and included events from 1944 to 1991. This pavilion contains 136 objects. In his first showcase are provided facts, photos and documents that represent the creation of political forces such as “Balli Kombëtar” and “Legality”, the persecution of Postribe insurgents, the denunciation of the Mukje Agreement, the incident at the Soviet Embassy, the abuse against political opponents of communism, destruction of cult objects etc.
The Pavilion of Mother Teresa
The Pavilion of Mother Teresa is dedicated to Mother Teresa’s ( Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu of Albanian origin ) family, life and work. The visitors are acquainted with her charitable work for which she has been assigned with many international awards. Of course, some pictures and documents show her life and hard work to help the people in need and photos of global personalities who met Mother Teresa as Jacques Chirac, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Ibrahim Kodra, etc.
