Diocesan Museum Shkodër – Pult - Into Albania

Diocesan Museum Shkodër – Pult

A History of Christianity in Albania

With a multi-language audio guide system and the weight of thousands of years of the history of Christianity in Albania, the Diocesan Museum Shkodër-Pult is open to all those who are fascinated by the singular story of religion in Albania.

A History of Faith

The Diocesan Museum Shkodër-Pult is one of the most fascinating museums in the city of Shkodër, if not the entire country. It brings to the visitor’s attention the presence of the Catholic Church and faith especially in northern Albania, revealing the history of its survival in the face of hostility during the five-century-long Ottoman rule and the Communist period, which lasted for almost half a century. Thanks to the ecclesiastical objects, various archaeological discoveries and works of art exhibited in its 16 halls, the museum takes you along the unique journey that Christianity has undergone in Albania.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

Ancient object and architecture

While the oldest object in the museum is a Roman coin from the period of Emperor Constantine (306-337 B.C.), there are plenty more historical findings here, like stone objects of the period of 1100-1200 or other valuable fragments brought from churches in the northern region of the country. The collections include pelts, piksides (ornate bowls from the 17th century), bottles for holy oils, various bells, and missals, among other historical objects.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

For those interested in following the development of ecclesiastical architecture throughout the centuries, the museum does a wonderful job at illustrating the churches’ metamorphoses during the Ottoman and Communist eras in the country. Via a carefully structured documentation, museum visitors will find a precise and accurate introduction into the tumultuous journey of the Catholic Church in Albania.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

Cross of Dukagjin

Created on the July 15, 1940, the Cross of Dukagjin is one of the most historically and spiritually valuable objects found in this museum. It commemorates the victory of 300 Albanian soldiers against the Montenegrin army of 3000, sent by King Nicholas I to invade the region of Dukagjin during World War I. The names of eighty-one fallen heroes are carved on this cross, an object that was all but forgotten during the Communist period. In fact, parts of it were used for other purposes. Fortunately, the cross has been restored to its original shape and can be admired by the public in this museum.

Cross of Dukagjin, photo by IntoAlbania.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

Our Lady of Good Counsel

In this museum, you may also become acquainted with the history and wonderful oil painting of the Saint known as Our Lady of Good Counsel. The cult surrounding this particular figure is important in Shkodër, especially so for the Christian population, and the museum is a great chance to learn more about it.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

A Must-Visit

The museum includes countless other objects of interest like the wooden sculpture of St. Rokus or the half bust of St. Nicholas, both devotedly preserved by believers during the Communist censorship. These objects, like many others, testify to the power of faith and religion, which have historically overcome adversity, hostile ideologies and totalitarian systems. Thanks to its very informative panels and six-language audio-guide system in Albanian, English, Italian, Spanish, German, French, Polish, and Croatian, the journey through the museum is truly open to all.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

The museum is enriched by a multimedia and exhibition hall, which can also be used for formative and laboratory meetings.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

The cathedral and the museum are connected through the courtyard providing also an emergency meeting point and a parking lot. Everything is created according to the modern museum management criteria, in compliance with international norms for cataloging and preserving museum artifacts. If you want to consult online the services inside the museum, you can visit the website: http://muzeudioqezansp.com.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

Photo by IntoAlbania.

    Monday to Friday 09:00 - 13:00 to 15:00 - 17:00 (During the winter, the museum is opened only during the morning, and through group reservation on the afternoon) Saturday 09:00 - 13:00
    John Paul II Square (Sheshi Gjon Pali II) Get Directions

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