The Besa Museum
The Besa Museum is the first and central project of the Besa Foundation. The project aims to conserve and restore the former Toptanas/Libohovites' residence, a first category Cultural Monument, to revitalize the building and its surrounding area by establishing the Besa Museum, which will also serve as a point of cultural exchange, a center of dialogue and a meeting point between material and intangible heritage such as the Besa principle, as an ethical code, human act and social practice, a distinctive quality of the Albanian people, which is interpreted, structured and communicated as a museum experience, building a narrative that connects historical testimony with moral responsibility, collective memory and contemporary reflection. Located in the Heart of Tirana, the museum will serve as a space for communication, recreation, conservation, implementation, and evaluation of ideas in terms of cultural, historical, and national heritage.
Concept
The museum concept is based on the creation of gathering spaces that reflect traditional Albanian domestic life while reinterpreting them within a contemporary museum setting.
The historic house itself functions simultaneously as the site of the permanent exhibition and as an exhibit in its own right. Each restored room conveys aspects of everyday life, hospitality, and moral responsibility, while also highlighting historical moments shaped by Besa.
Particular emphasis is placed on periods of crisis, including the protection of Jews during the Holocaust, as well as the sheltering of Kosovar and Afghan refugees in more recent history. In this way, architecture and narrative are inseparable.
A New Wing
To expand the museum's capacity, a new wing is developed beneath the courtyard, housing temporary exhibitions, archives, an auditorium, and educational spaces. The extension connects to the historic house through the cellar, maintaining a continuous visitor experience.
Its spatial organization draws inspiration from Ottoman domestic architecture, centered around a shared gathering space with adjacent rooms. This layout supports flexibility while reinforcing the cultural importance of communal presence.
Beacons
The underground extension remains visually connected to the city through a series of light wells that rise into the courtyard above. These vertical openings introduce natural, diffused light into the museum spaces below.
At the same time, they act as subtle markers, announcing the presence of the museum within the urban landscape. The courtyard itself becomes a place of pause and gathering, defined by calm, contemplative design. Together, light and space create a quiet dialogue between the museum and the city of Tirana.
Holistic Approach
The Besa Museum is conceived as a cohesive cultural complex rather than a single building.
The Selamllëku structure is restored and integrated into the site, with its ground floor opened to welcome visitors and guide movement toward the museum entrance. Nearby buildings are reimagined to host a café, restaurant, and museum shop facing the garden.
These elements extend the museum's experience beyond exhibition spaces. The result is an open, accessible environment that encourages learning, encounters, and reflection.
