Vila Austria 1843: The Still Fairly Unknown Treasure of Durrës - Into Albania

Vila Austria 1843: The Still Fairly Unknown Treasure of Durrës

Located in the very heart of Durrës, less than five minutes away from the Amphitheater and other similar monuments, Vila Austria 1843 is a unique meeting point with the city’s history.

You can hardly find a more convenient and fascinating place than Vila Austria 1843 for your stay in Durrës. The sheer age and history of the villa, closely connected to the past of the Tedeschini family which, in turn, has greatly contributed to many aspects of Albanian society, are just a few of the reasons for spending some time in this special luxurious spot.

The villa’s exterior, photo by IntoAlbania.

The History of the Tedeschinis

In Durrës, this structure is also known as the Tedeschini Villa, a name belonging to the family that built it and presently owns it. The first of the Tedeschinis came from Vasto in Italy and initially settled in Shkodra, where he opened the city’s first foreign pharmacy. Evidence of this family’s presence in the northern city dates back to 1766, the year in which Emidio Tedeschini sent a letter to the Republic of Venice, expressing his wish to become Vice-Consul of the Republic.

At this time, the family moved to Durrës, where the surname Tedeschini became synonymous with the Venetian consulate and, afterward, with the Austro-Hungarian one.

Vila Austria 1843

1843 marks the year of the villa’s construction, thus, more than 170 years ago, making this particular place the city’s oldest but still inhabitable villa. When it was built, the villa had the dual function of housing the Austro-Hungarian Consulate as well as the home of the Tedeschini family. The centuries-old furniture decorating the villa’s rooms has been preserved and is still a – rather beautiful – part of it.

The hallway and stairs connecting the two floors, photo by IntoAlbania.

One of the best spots in the entire villa is undoubtedly the Fireplace Room. In it, the visitor may admire the villa’s elegant architecture and look at rare objects, including old family books and even original works of art. An important example of the latter is a portrait of the famous Austrian empress Sisi, which has adorned the villa’s walls for more than two centuries. This room, like the rest of the villa’s shared spaces, reflects the important socio-political role played by the Tedeschini family throughout the country’s history.

Fireplace Room, photo by IntoAlbania.

Prominent Names

As the headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian Consulate, the villa has seen many prominent names passing through its spaces during the years. Among the most well-known is albanologist and diplomat Johann Georg von Hahn who, following his visit to Durrës in 1851 and his stay at the Tedeschini villa, wrote in his book Albanian Studies that he would “be eternally grateful for the hospitality he encountered there.”

The villa’s interior, photo by IntoAlbania.

Another quite well-known guest of the period was Archduke of Austria Prince Maximilian, brother of Austrian Emperor Franc Joseph. The prince included his great impressions of the Tedeschinis and their villa in his memorial depicting his travels to Albanian cities at the time.

The Tedeschinis

One can write volumes about this family and still be unable to sufficiently illustrate its contribution to Albanian society.

The family emblem. Photo credits: Josef Tedeschini.

Beyond its political role, for the 60 years as a consulate, the villa included a pharmacy operated by the Tedeschinis which served the poor free of charge, thus supporting those in need.

Justina Tedeschini, one of the villa’s heirs at the beginning of the 20th century. Photo credits: Joseph Tedeschini.

Luigj Gurakuqi, one of Albania’s most prominent patriotic figures, is also related to the Tedeschinis as his grandmother was Agata Tedeschini.

A significant contribution was given by lawyer Emid Tedeschini, who assisted in the codification of the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini. His son, Joseph Tedeschini, shows us the original manuscripts of his father’s extraordinary work on this volume, still preserved in the villa. Other works of Emid Tedeschini include the translations of important legal, linguistic and literary documents in Italian, English, German, and more.

B&B

Currently a guesthouse, this house offers accommodation is its 4 rooms (three of them with double beds and one with two single beds), two common bathrooms, a kitchen, a fantastic veranda, and additional common areas.

One of the villa’s rooms, photo by IntoAlbania.

A solid tradition of hospitality has been passed on throughout this family’s generations and, to this day, if you choose to visit or stay in this villa, you will have the opportunity to experience this long-lasting legacy firsthand by meeting Alma and Joseph Tedeschini, family descendants and heirs to the villa.

One of the villa’s shared spaces, photo by IntoAlbania.

They can tell you plenty of interesting stories about the family, explain the history and function of the furniture, and inform you about the people in the photos displayed throughout the house. Last but not least, you may even try the tasty desserts and glikos made with love by Alma herself. For the absolute best that Durrës has to offer, a visit to Vila Austria 1843 is a must. It is a simultaneous immersion into the history of the city and at the heart of it in present times.

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