TIRANA, Feb 16 /ATA/ The Ethnographic Museum of Kruja, since its reopening after restoration in July of last year, has attracted a large number of local and foreign visitors. 

With around 1,000 artifacts, multimedia screens, and interactive exhibits, a visit to the museum offers an engaging experience for visitors of all ages. 

The Director of the National Museum “Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu” and the Ethnographic Museum of Kruja, Mehdi Hafizi, said to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency that “since the restoration completed under the EU4Culture program funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS in close partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, the museum has seen a high influx of visitors throughout 2024.” 

“From the end of July when it reopened until the end of December, the Ethnographic Museum was visited by 15,000 local and foreign visitors, who showed interest in Albanian culture and traditions,” said Hafizi. 

Since its opening, the museum introduces an innovative experience for visitors, making their visit more engaging and interactive through VR technology. 

“This technology improves the museum’s storytelling, providing dynamic and interactive narratives that captivate visitors,” said Hafizi. 

According to him, this unique and captivating experience takes visitors to new dimensions within an exhibit. 

Ardiola Alikaj, the director of the National Association of Tour Guides, during a visit to the museum with a group of young future tour guides, stated that “the museum, reopened after a two-year period, offers visitors an extraordinary experience. In addition to the explanations provided by the staff, which is an excellent way to visit a destination, the new tourist package now incorporates the VR technology, audio guides in 5 foreign languages, as well as many informative signs that are very important for individual visitors.” 

The house-museum has a total of 15 rooms, each with its own function, composition, and corresponding socio-ethnographic symbolism. Many visitors, both local and foreign, visit the Ethnological Museum as an important part of their tour in the historic city of Kruja. 

The museum is housed in the historic residence of the Toptani family, constructed in 1764. It displays Albania’s rich cultural heritage. The Ethnographic Museum of Kruja is built in the traditional “çardak” style. Both the interior exhibits and the objects displayed outside provide a comprehensive view of the crafts practiced in Kruja and across Albania, as well as the lifestyle, dating back 300 years. 

The Ethnographic Museum of Kruja reopened on July 23rd of this year.