The National Museum
“Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu”

Museum history

The National Museum
“Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu”

The National Museum “Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu” is named after Albania’s national hero who led a resistance against the Ottomans during 1443-1468. The center of this resistance was Kruja, a city that repelled three Ottoman sieges thanks to the splendid leadership of Gjergj Kastrioti. From Kruja’s castle remain now only parts from protective walls, a clock tower, ruins of a church and ruins of later Ottoman constructions. It’s within this archaeological complex where the National Museum is located, more than 500 metres above the sea level.

The National Museum “Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu” in Krujë was opened in 1982 after a successful collaboration of Albanian architects led by Pirro Vaso and Pranvera Hoxha. The museum is designed mainly as a tribute to Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu, Albania’s most popular historical figure. It’s one of the most visited historical museums in Albania. Teams led by the renowned Albanian historian Kristo Frashëri and Albanian painter Bashkim Ahmeti also provided a valuable contribution to this important project. Since Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu lived during medieval times, the overall architecture and composition of the museum is designed to resemble the layout of a medieval castle adorned with artworks of medieval style. Frescoes painted in Byzantine style cover the inner walls of this museum.

Museum Highlights

At the very entrance of the museum, the visitors are faced with a pomposing large-scale sculpture showing Gjergj Kastrioti and his followers and soldiers in warfare stance, equipped with swords, shields, and other body armors.This sculpture transmits a screenshot into the Albanian anti-Ottoman resistance of the XV century

and sets the tone for the continuation of the museum’s tour. The visitors can then go through various pavilions and sections each with its historic theme in a chronological order; from Illyrian times into the age of Albanian medieval principalities and that of Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu. Among the items displayed, we can distinguish original ceramic, bronze, and copper objects, icons and swords of medieval times, an interesting bell dating back to 1462, reproduction of old statuses and documents, and so on.

Another highlight of the museum tour is the formidable fresco called “Perballimi”, a work of the talented and sometimes unknown Albanian artist Naxhi Bakalli. The mural, that covers a whole side of a pavillion’s section, depicts an epic battle between the Albanian warriors led by Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu and the invading Ottomans. The masterpiece of Bakalli has impressed both art critics and visitors as a splendid way to illustrate the emotional resonance of Gjergj Kastrioti’s resistance among the Albanian society.

There are many interesting twists and turns in the National Museum Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu. It has impressed both domestic and foreign visitors. All groups of visitors, even foreigners, can learn about the background of the displayed items and artworks from museum’s own guides.

Opening Hours

09.00 -18.00 (Monday - Sunday)

Ticket categories and prices at the ticket office

•Ticket for local and foreign tourists	500 lekë
•Group ticket +12	400 lekë
• Reduced ticket -50%	250 lekë
•Ticket for children 12-18 years old and students	150 lekë
•Child ticket 0-12 years old	Free

Welcome to museums of Kruja

Opening hours

The National Museum
“Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu”

Museum history