Site of Witness and Memory

Site of Witness and Memory is one of Shkodër’s most powerful places, a former Catholic seminary transformed into a museum documenting the persecution carried out during Albania’s communist regime. Rather than presenting history through distant objects, it preserves the original interrogation rooms, isolation cells, and administrative spaces exactly as they were, making the experience deeply immersive. Inside, the most striking area is the detention corridor, where narrow doors lead to tiny cells once used for political prisoners. The walls still bear scratches, notes, and marks left by detainees. Another compelling space is the torture room, preserved with its original layout to show the brutality of interrogations. Photographs and testimonies displayed throughout the museum give voice to those who suffered here. A unique feature is the courtyard memorial, where symbolic installations represent the thousands imprisoned or executed. The museum also highlights Shkodër’s role as a centre of resistance, presenting personal belongings, letters, and documents that survived despite attempts to erase them.