NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDEPENDENCE

Founded in 1936, this museum (Muzeu Kombëtar i Pavarësisë) is located in the house that was the seat of the first Albanian government from December 4, 1912 to January 22, 1914. This 19th century building was originally used as a quarantine facility for the port. It was chosen in the emergency, a few days after the independence, proclaimed on November 28, 1912 from the balcony of the house of Ismail Qemali (1844-1919) now disappeared. The First Balkan War (October 1912-May 1913) had just begun. The neighboring countries were threatening to invade Albania. Born in Vlora and from a powerful family linked to the Ottomans, Ismail Qemali was appointed both President and Prime Minister. He composed his government taking care to include rich notables such as Abdi Toptani (1864-1942), clan leaders such as Myfid Bey Libohova (1876-1927) and intellectuals such as Mit'hat Frashëri (1880-1949). The museum reconstructs the ministers' offices, but also the council room where the pen with which Qemali signed the declaration of independence is exhibited. The corridors are decorated with photographs. One of them is of the ceremony held on the small balcony of the building one year after the declaration of independence. The moment was captured by the father of Albanian photography Pjetër Marubi on November 28, 1913. A few days later, the great powers placed the country under trusteeship. Forced into exile, Qemali left for Paris and died in 1919 in Italy.