The Arbëreshe Culture Museum, strongly desired by the Municipality of San Paolo Albanese in the province of Potenza in Basilicata, collects and preserves the testimonies of the Arbëreshe culture, which belongs to the population that fled from the Epirus region in Albania to take refuge in Southern Italy following the death of the national hero Giorgio Castriota Scanderberg and the subsequent Turkish-Ottoman invasion of their homeland between 1526 and 1534.
The Arbëreshe people have preserved their traditions and language intact for five centuries. In many towns, associations have been established to safeguard this language, preventing its abandonment by the younger population, and cultural places where ancient traditions are passed down.
Its unique structure, inaugurated in 1993, was created by modernizing some old uninhabited buildings in the historic center.
The interior of the Museum is dedicated to the traditional values of the Arbëreshe culture but also offers a window into the daily life of the past, which was predominantly based on the rural economy. In addition to material objects, the museum also preserves oral and popular culture, passed down from generation to generation.
Particularly interesting is the room dedicated to traditional clothing, different for married and unmarried women, wealthy and not. The condition of the woman wearing the dress was clearly visible from the weaves, designs, and shapes with which the dress itself was made.
The Arbëreshe Culture Museum is open every day thanks to the volunteers who take care of it. In the morning, they can be found at the City Hall, always available for educational visits, active workshops, guided tours, for small and large groups, and any age group.
Visiting hours:
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM / 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Information for the visit:
Other places to explore:
- San Giorgio Lucano Caves
- Museum of Icons and Byzantine Tradition - Frascineto
- Greek-Byzantine Rite Church of San Giovanni Battista - Acquaformosa
