Museo della Cultura Arbëreshe
Ethnographic museum in the historic centre of San Paolo Albanese, in the Pollino Park, on the history, language and daily life of the Arbëreshe community.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in 1975 as an agro-pastoral exhibition and, in the following years, grew into the recovery and promotion of objects of material culture, left in their original settings in the farmhouses of the historic centre. In 1984 it became a recognised cultural institution under its founding administrative acts, and since then it has promoted activities and events on Arbëreshe culture.
The current premises, opened in 1993, are in reused old buildings in the historic centre that had been abandoned. They display objects of material culture, document oral, popular and agro-pastoral traditions, and bear witness to the roots and identity of the Arbëreshe ethnolinguistic minority, in particular through the cycle of processing broom (ginestra), from harvesting to the production of textiles. The museum design is by Annibale Formica and Ferdinando Mirizzi.
The route is organised into five thematic areas: History and Myth on the ground floor and, on the first floor, Domestic Life and Activity, Family Organisation, World of Work, and Rites, Festivals and Sociability. The museum is complemented by a specialist library for Albanian speakers, created in 1979, and by the exhibition “Oggetti dalla memoria”, set up in 1987.
Highlights
- Five thematic rooms on Arbëreshe culture
- Cycle of processing broom (ginestra)
- Exhibition “Oggetti dalla memoria”
- Specialist library for Albanian speakers
- Located in the historic centre, in the heart of the Pollino Park
Permanent exhibitions
- Le cinque aree tematiche – History and myth, domestic life and activity, family organisation, the world of work, and rites, festivals and sociability of the Arbëreshe community.
- Oggetti dalla memoria – Exhibition set up in 1987 with objects of local material culture.
- Founded
- 1993
- Operated by
- Comune di San Paolo Albanese
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,578
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum’s website lists accessibility among its services, without publishing details.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Active workshops and guided routes are offered for every age group.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
San Paolo Albanese is not served by rail. The nearest station is Policoro, on the Taranto–Reggio Calabria line. Buses run by the Consorzio Trasporti Aziende Basilicata (COTRAB) depart from Senise.
By car
Parking available
By car you can park along via Alessandro Smilari and reach the museum on foot in a few minutes.
The museum is in the historic centre, in via Regina Margherita, a short walk from the town hall (Municipio). By car from the A2 motorway, take the Lauria Nord exit and follow the state road 653 of the Valle del Sinni, then the SS 742 to San Paolo Albanese.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Wi-Fi
The museum’s website lists Wi-Fi among its services; there is also a library and a box office.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum offers guided tours, educational visits and workshops for groups of all ages. It is important to plan ahead: bookings for educational services on 0973 94367. |
