Congress of Lushnjë

It was within these walls, from 28 to 31 January 1920, that delegates from across Albania gathered to defend the country's independence and territorial integrity, laying the foundations of the modern Albanian state.

The house was built during the first half of the nineteenth century and, according to local oral tradition, dates back to around 1851. At the time, it belonged to the Fuga family, one of the prominent families of Lushnjë. Architecturally, the building is an excellent example of the traditional Berat-style urban house, featuring two floors and a small room above the roof level, locally known as the “Konaku i Hankove” (the Ladies’ Chamber).

Shortly before the Congress convened, the owner of the house, Shaqir Fuga, passed away. Despite this personal loss, his widow and their son, Kasem (Kaso) Fuga, who was only seventeen years old at the time, willingly and without hesitation offered their home as the venue for this important national gathering. Their patriotic gesture ensured that the Fuga family home would forever occupy a distinguished place in Albanian history.

Within the rooms of this house, decisions of extraordinary importance for the future of Albania were taken. The Congress rejected proposals that threatened the country's sovereignty, reaffirmed Albania’s independence, designated Tirana as the capital of the country, and established the principal state institutions that would guide Albania in the years that followed. For these reasons, the House of the Congress of Lushnjë has become a symbol of national unity and of the efforts to consolidate the Albanian state.

During the Second World War, the building suffered considerable damage. An additional room located on its eastern side was destroyed and has not survived to the present day. Nevertheless, the main structure of the house was preserved, remaining a valuable witness to a pivotal chapter in Albania’s national history.

In recognition of its historical significance, the building was restored and officially opened to the public as the Museum House of the Congress of Lushnjë on 21 January 1960, marking the 40th anniversary of the Congress. On this occasion, the Albanian Radio and Television Service produced a documentary news report, highlighting the importance of the event for the nation’s historical memory.

Today, the House of the Congress of Lushnjë stands as one of Albania’s most important historical monuments. It serves as a place of remembrance and education, where visitors can learn about the events, personalities, and decisions that shaped the future of the Albanian state at one of the most decisive moments in its history.