The Women’s Museum (Muzeu i Grave, MiG) is a small private museum in a 1960s apartment in central Tirana, telling the story of Albanian women through clothing, jewelry, documents and personal objects. It’s run by its founder, the journalist and human rights activist Elsa Ballauri, and many visitors call it the highlight of their time in Tirana.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Where | Rruga Myslym Shyri area, near Blloku; enter at the back of the building and go up to the 3rd floor (Google Maps) |
| Price | 500 ALL |
| Booking | Best to call or message ahead: +355 68 202 3950 |
| Time needed | About 1 hour |
The collection comes from Ballauri’s own family and years of collecting. It covers women’s lives from the 1920s and 1930s, when the first Albanian women’s organizations appeared, through the communist years: the medals for “heroine mothers” who had many children, the consequences of the ban on abortion, and the women who were persecuted, imprisoned or executed. Look for the traditional xhubleta dress, the old Singer sewing machine, and objects that could once have landed their owners in prison.
What makes it special is the personal tour. Ballauri, or a member of her family, walks you through the rooms and the stories behind them, and the visit often turns into a conversation about Albanian history in general.
Because it’s small and run by a family, book ahead rather than turning up. It pairs well with the House of Leaves, a 10-minute walk away.
