“Alexander Moisiu” House-Museum

The House-Museum “Aleksandër Moisiu” in Durrës is a cultural monument of historical, architectural and cultural value, located in the center of the historic city, near the Ancient Amphitheater and the Byzantine walls. It represents one of the rare examples of characteristic 19th-century urban houses in the area and is an important destination for visitors who want to get to know the daily life and cultural identity of the city.

The building was built in the second half of the 19th century, according to the traditional urban Durrës style with a two-story structure and a veranda on the upper floor, reflecting the characteristic elements of urban housing for that period. For its historical and architectural values, the house has been declared a first-category Cultural Monument.

The museum is named after Aleksandër Moisiu (1879–1935), the internationally renowned stage actor, born in Trieste of Albanian origin, who spent his early childhood in this house and attended primary school in Durrës. Inside the building, photographs, documents and memorabilia related to his life and career are exhibited, giving a personal dimension to the city’s cultural history.

Today the building functions (or is being requalified after restoration) as an ethnographic museum, presenting collections of traditional everyday life, including folk clothing, household utensils, textiles and traditional objects, which reflect the material culture and customs of the inhabitants of Durrës. Several rooms are dedicated to exhibitions honoring the work and memory of Aleksandër Moisiu.

The building was damaged during the 2019 earthquake, but from 2024-2025 it is under restoration and museumization with support from the European Union (EU4Culture program), with the aim of restoring it to a functional cultural center for the local and international public.

The House-Museum “Aleksandër Moisiu” serves as a bridge between the personal history of a prominent Albanian cultural figure and the urban tradition of Durrës, offering an in-depth approach to the life of the city, national identity and performing arts of the 20th century. In addition, this museum gives visitors the opportunity to explore the customs of antiquity along with the most important moments of contemporary culture, related to the figure of Moses.