Ismail Kadare's House
Ismail Kadare's House
3
About
The home of the world-famous Albanian writer, Ismail Kadare, has been turned into a museum, and is open to the public. This is where Ismail Kadare was born and spent his childhood. The house will be familiar to everyone who has read his book ‘Chronicle in Stone”, in which Kadare describes every corner of this house. As you visit the house you can imagine Kadare as a little boy, sitting close to the windows and witnessing the terrors of World War II. The house was first built in 1799, and classified as a Cultural Monument in 1991. Recently the building was repaired and rehabilitated under the auspices of UNESCO and Albanian’s Ministry of Culture. The Museum was opened to the public on 28 January 2018, on the occasion of Kadare’s 80th birthday. Kadare House is in the middle of the historical Palorto neighborhood and easy to find. Inside the house are some original objects belonging to the family. The entrance fee is 200 leke.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.0
17 reviews
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4
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0
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5
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5
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3
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springbank
Greve, Denmark3,901 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
It is the reconstructed house of the famous Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. After a fire that burned the whole house to the ground in 1997, the house is now being fully reconstructed. But unfortunately it misses personal objects and information of the writer and his family.
Written November 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alberto T
3 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Very expensive, 5 euros, to read some extracts from a book by Kadaré and see a reconstruction of the family home of his childhood. Just 15 to 20 minutes to see it
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Written September 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
judithekkel
Dalfsen, The Netherlands24 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Not much to see - audio only in Albanian - pay the same high price. Severely overpriced. Empty rooms in a house… worthless
Written May 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
70ava
Beijing, China1,009 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
The place reopened after long renovation Sep. 2022. We came with lots of expectations but were really disappointed. The house itself is new and does not really impress you if you have been to other local establishments, but we were waiting to learn more about this amazing writer. Basically no info, just quotes from his books and a few short screening of movies made in Albania based on his books. The place is modern but basically worthless. So unfortunate
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R_TheReader
Rio de Janeiro, RJ504 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Note: this attraction got a few bad scores, mostly because it is a recent renovation and did not compare to the other houses open to visit: Skënduli and Zekate.
First: the original house burned down, so of course this is a renovated building.
Second: it does not make a lot of sense to compare this to Zekate or Skënduli - old houses that are preserved to show how noble families lived.
That said, here is why I loved the visit to Kadare's house. The house is a museum dedicated to the writings of Ismael Kadare, and is brilliant in this respect. Sentences from his book Chronicle in Stone are found on the walls and in some videos - mostly recollections of the author's childhood. I especially liked the text about the six-window room and the video showing the intimate relationship the boy had with the cistern. Better yet, outside the house are texts about the fool's street (which does not exist anymore).
The museum is a quiet place where you can enjoy a literary voyage. It will appeal more to people who have read Kadare's books.
My advice: set your expectations before the visit. It is about literature, not another fortified Gjirokaster house.
First: the original house burned down, so of course this is a renovated building.
Second: it does not make a lot of sense to compare this to Zekate or Skënduli - old houses that are preserved to show how noble families lived.
That said, here is why I loved the visit to Kadare's house. The house is a museum dedicated to the writings of Ismael Kadare, and is brilliant in this respect. Sentences from his book Chronicle in Stone are found on the walls and in some videos - mostly recollections of the author's childhood. I especially liked the text about the six-window room and the video showing the intimate relationship the boy had with the cistern. Better yet, outside the house are texts about the fool's street (which does not exist anymore).
The museum is a quiet place where you can enjoy a literary voyage. It will appeal more to people who have read Kadare's books.
My advice: set your expectations before the visit. It is about literature, not another fortified Gjirokaster house.
Written October 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruno P
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
The place where Ismail Kadare was born!
Well renovated museum where you can find more about the writer’s childhood. If you haven’t read “Chronicle in Stone”, you will read some chapters inside the house.
Well renovated museum where you can find more about the writer’s childhood. If you haven’t read “Chronicle in Stone”, you will read some chapters inside the house.
Written June 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Navigate13927149207
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
It was a nice museum with lot information's about the writer inside. It has a beautiful view from its balcony. A must to see it if you visit Gjirokastra.
Written June 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Klejdi K
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Friends
Amazing museum based on Ismail Kadare childhood and his novels. Quite place where you can read some pages of his novels!
Written April 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mario L
97 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
It has nothing to do with the other houses in Gjirakaster. In addition to being very restored, it is proposed as a museum in which not much is really exhibited. The price is expensive and there is also no sign in the box office that indicates it
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Written August 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ACM1899Pier
Milan, Italy22,357 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Inside it is completely redone and even badly with simple cut wood. Not even the rooms are special and what's more, with 500 lech it is the most expensive entrance in the city.
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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