There are several museums in Vlorë. The most famous is the one dedicated to Albania’s independence, which was declared in this city in 1912. Lovers of older history will be pleased with the historical museum, which collects finds from numerous excavations around Vlorë. There is also an ethnographic museum that displays traditional costumes and crafts.
Albania’s independence was declared during the First Balkan War, when Albanian politicians realised that if they did not declare it, Albania’s territory would be seized by its neighbours. The ceremony was held on 28 November 1912 in a modest house in the port of Vlorë, which served as a hospital at that time and was the only one available for this occasion. The house then housed the first Albanian government led by Ismail Qemali.
Today, the house is the National Museum of Independence (Muzeu Kombëtar i Pavarësisë, open Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-2pm, Mon closed, entrance 100 lek). The interior of the building has been preserved almost unchanged. In addition to several period photographs, a table at which Qemali’s cabinet met and the modest room of the prime minister are on display.
Museum of History (Muzeu Historik i Vlorës, open Tue-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 9am-2pm, Mon closed, entrance fee 100 lek) is located near the Flag’ Square in the building of the former town hall. It exhibits mainly excavations found in archaeological sites in the surroundings of Vlorë and under the sea.
Opposite of history museum is the Ethnographic Museum (Muzeu Etnografik). The building in which it is situated was once a seat of the Labëria Club (Klubi i Labërisë), where Albanians learned reading and writing in Albanian in the Ottoman Empire era. Today, several halls display traditional costumes or handicrafts. For example, there is an exhibition dedicated to fishing, featuring a boat hollowed out from a single piece of log or an eel trap.
Cover photo by Jakub Hrab
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