Gjirokastra Ethnographic Museum

1016 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

3/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

September, 2019

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Partner

Reasons for trip

Gjirokaster Ethnographic Museum is located in a reconstructed traditional house. It is noted for being on the site of the house where Enver Hoxha, Albania’s communist leader was born. The original building was destroyed in the 1960s but was carefully rebuilt.

A young student selling souvenirs outside the museum pointed us in the right direction, up a flight of stairs. Here we found two delightful young girls selling tickets (entrance fee 200 Lek/ÂŁ1.50). One of the girls took her Turkish coffee off the camping stove and gave us a 5-minute introduction before leaving us to look around on our own.

The first floor was the winter floor as, sandwiched between the ground and upper floors, it was easier to keep warm. Signage outside each of the rooms explained its function but the exhibits inside weren’t so well labelled. The handicraft room had a range of colourful wall hangings and tools used in the weaving process. There was also the bedroom, living room, which was the birth room of Hoxha and had a swinging cradle to denote it. The relaxing room for women (or wome as the sign said), had two children’s bedrooms off it and the bathroom/toilet.

On the top floor was the cool summer veranda, the women’s guest room with wooden carvings on the wall, the dining room with an ornate chimney breast, kitchen and children’s bedroom with costumes on the wall. For some unexplained reason, a tiny room had a large bust on the floor of Mother Theresa and was labelled, guest room for men.

We’d been told there were two original Hoxha items: a clock and what sounded like a diary but could have been a dowry: we didn’t see either.

Back down the stairs onto the ground floor, we found the food storage area in a large arched room, which would have been cool and then strangely a set of weapons.

Perhaps with a guide, the visit might have had more meaning, but the advantage is that we weren’t rushed and could take lots of photos.

Helen Jackson

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.