national history museum

mareealys

We spent 2 hours here and that wasn't enough for my museum fanatic husband. There a 2 upper floors of wonderful photographic displays of the war and political history. Very cheap admission.

251zzzz

An interesting part of Tirana attractions. First of all, the facade is really impressing, made by tiny details that make an interesting mosaic. Inside, there were pieces of history gathered from different times.

FOL-1003

This section is quite well done, except it has very rudimentary English labels, nevertheless the exhibits speak for themselves, its brutal shocking and you should be prepared for a tour that might make you cry, what a horrible time was it under Hoxhas reign, with non discrimatory executions and show processes.Well done, Museum, that you show the truth of the pain of Albania

jessep58

I visited on a cold day but it was much colder inside than outside...otherwise it was very interesting

JMarie530

The National History Museum is a great museum, with exhibits covering the history of Albania back to Illyrian times. The only downside to it is that for foreign visitors there is very little information available in English. I would recommend taking an Albanian with you to help explain the significance of the museum.

iowaaggie

I highly recommend stopping at the National History Museum. The entry fee is only around a dollar, (I had the luck or non-luck of going during a national holiday when it was free, which meant people that normally do not and should not go to museums end up there). They have historical items from 10,000 years ago up to the era of Communism, (though I think they made a mistake, because it seems that the second and third floors should be switched, since the history is out of order). Floor 1 has the ancient historical items, Floor 2 jumps from the Medieval times right into the communist period and Floor 3 has the World War II items. A surprising amount of the displays had English translations. The only negative, is that they do not allow pictures, as I sadly found out when I tried to take a picture. But, you can do as the locals do - look around and then take a quick picture. They have several full-length movies of the communist times, which really, really need to be shortened.

Antoz35

We were excited to come here but sadly there is little explanation in English. It seemed to have a lot to offer but if you can't read Albanian then it's hard. Unfortunately no tour guides or audio guides but a lot of photos and statues.

randle_williams

The part about the post WWII communist in fighting is very moving and a 4star. The other bits vary a lot but give a feel to the struggles over the ages .

MichaelWoodhouse

An interesting display of the past right up to the present in Albania. No locals there, very strange. maybe they already know?

ancsi111

We had an amazing guide who presented the whole history of Albania. It was very interesting to hear the small details of this huge story from period of Illirs until the time of Hoxha.

D2142

The National museum is not large, but has many interesting things to see. Most of the signs are translated into English (and some into french), so it is possible for a tourist to visit and understand what is being shown. It traces the history of this part of the world from prehistory, though the ottoman period, to the communist and now free time. Well worth a visit. Its cost 200lek (about 1.50 euro)

KenFBWI

Most signs in English and very interesting from pre-Roman times, right through to the "Communist Terrorist Occupation" !

Saranger

Make sure you visit this museum in Tirana on Skanderbeg Square. Admission is reasonable and the exhibits inside will tell the history of Albania, one of Europe's least-known countries. Yes, even the "closed" period (post WWII-1990s) is included. We found English captions and if you have familiarized yourself at all with Albanian history, you can figure out much of the rest. I enjoyed the archaeological exhibits far more than at the Archaeological Museum and really enjoyed the exhibits on King Zog and the post-WWII (closed period) era.I have wanted to visit Albania for 20 years and am glad I was able to do so. Fascinating country with very welcoming people. The depravity Albanians were subjected to for 50 years after WWII cannot be understood by many people. This will open your eyes. Don't miss this museum.

Romavan46

We like this museum very good local guiide. A good start to approach a country of which we knew so little.

The_Walrus2

What a twisted history. Such a waste of energy and resources. How a personality cult can run amok.Will take decades to recover.