Weapons Museum

Located inside Kalaja e Gjirokastrës, Muzeu i Armëve (National Museum of Armaments) is a military-history museum that documents Albania’s armed struggles from independence in 1912 through the Second World War. Its collections of firearms, military equipment, photographs, and wartime artifacts make it one of the most significant historical exhibits within the castle complex.

Historical Context

The museum was established in 1971 and occupies part of the castle area that once served as a prison. The exhibits focus heavily on Albania’s military history during the first half of the twentieth century, especially the resistance movement against Italian and German occupation forces between 1939 and 1944.

What Visitors See

Displays include rifles, machine guns, artillery pieces, military memorabilia, wartime photographs, and interpretive panels explaining key events in Albanian history. Some collections feature weapons from different historical periods, while the surrounding castle galleries contain larger military equipment and additional exhibits connected to the fortress.

The Castle Location

The museum is integrated into the broader experience of Castle of Gjirokastra, one of Albania’s most important fortifications. Visitors typically explore the weapons museum alongside the castle prison, panoramic viewpoints, and other historical displays, creating a broader narrative of defense, warfare, and political history in southern Albania.