National Museum Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu

The National Museum "George Castrioti Skanderbeg" (Albanian: Muzeu Kombëtar "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu"), also known as the Skanderbeg Museum or the Kruja Museum, is located in Krujë and is one of the most important and visited museums in Albania. The museum was built at the end of the 70's and was inaugurated on November 1, 1982. Its architecture was designed by architects Pirro Vaso and Pranvera Hoxha. Construction works were realized by a local team managed by Robert Kote. The museum has the character of a memorial, architecturally inspired by traditional Albanian stone towers and medieval Romanesque architecture.[1] The name of the museum is in the honor of the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbej.

For other uses, see Skanderbeg (disambiguation).
National Museum
"George Castrioti Skanderbeg"
Muzeu Kombëtar "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu"
Established1 November 1982 (1982-11-01)
LocationKrujë,  Albania
TypeHistorical museum
DirectorMehdi Afizi
ArchitectPirro Vaso, Pranvera Hoxha
WebsiteOfficial Website

The Krujë Castle, which houses the museum, is a historic citadel. Ottoman troops attacked it thrice, in 1450, 1466 and 1467, but failed to take control. It was this impregnable fortress that helped George Kastrioti Skanderbeg defend Albania from the Ottoman invasion for more than two decades.[2]

Building

The National Museum "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" project was based on the conceptual platform designed by Aleks Buda in September 1976, which was sent as a design assignment to the Institute of Studies and Projets (ISP) No.1 Tirana, under the direction of architect Pirro Vaso. After reviewing three variants, the ISP decided to continue the work on designing a building based on these variants and decided that the site where the museum would be built was in the interior of the walls of the old Kruja Castle. The design team consisted of Pirro Vaso, Pranvera Hoxha, F.Stermasi, K.Meka, L.Gashi, Gjarçani and R.Agalliu, who designed a building which would be stylistic to the Albanian medieval towers, mainly built in northern Albania.[3] After the museum's draft idea was approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the ISP working group started work on the project implementation of this work. The works for the construction of the National Museum "Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu" began in September 1978 and they were directed by Robert Kote.[4] In March 1980, the Ministry of Education and Culture set up two working groups for the preparation of the museum content model, pavilions, mural paintings, and so on. The group of historians led by prof. Kristo Frasheri and the group of painters led by Bashkim Ahmeti completed this design in the end of 1980.[3][5]

On 1 November 1982, the National Museum "Gergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu" was inaugurated.[6]

  • The National Museum "Gergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu" at the Kruja Castle
  • Medieval cannons at the National Museum "Gergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu"
  • Front entrance of the museum
  • Skanderbeg and his warriors inside the museum
  • The rear entrance of the museum

Exhibits

The museum contains objects dating back to Skanderbeg's time. The exhibits have been arranged in a way that chronicles his life and military feats. Paintings, armor, and other artifacts dating back to his time have been exhibited to showcase one of the proudest periods of Albanian history. An interesting display is the replica of the hero's famous goat head-topped helmet, the original of which is on display at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.[2] The memorial building was designed by Pirro Vaso and Pranvera Hoxha.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Skanderbeg Museum (Muzeu Kombetar Gj. Kastriot Skenderbeu) | Visit Albania". argophilia.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-26. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  2. "Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeg Museum of Krujë, Albania". National Geographic. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  3. Telegraf, Gazeta. "Haki HOXHA* / Muzeu i Krujës, vlerat e një vepre monumentale". Gazeta Telegraf. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  4. "Flasin realizuesi i vërtetë i projektit dhe gurgdhendësi i muzeut: Muzeu i Krujës s'u projektua nga Pranvera Hoxha, dhuratë nga Enveri për diplomë". www.panorama.com.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  5. "Mjeshtëria e derdhur në dy muralet e muzeut mesjetar të Krujës - Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve". www.arkivalajmeve.com. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  6. "Rreth Nesh | Muzeumet Krujë". muzeumetkruje.gov.al. Archived from the original on 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2018-03-01.

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