The Arbëresh Ethnic Museum of Civita, located in the heart of Calabria, is an important cultural institution that celebrates and preserves the history and traditions of the Arbëreshë community, descendants of Albanians who immigrated to Italy in the 15th century. Inaugurated on May 25, 1989, thanks to the “Gennaro Placco” Cultural Association, the museum was conceived as a reference center for the enhancement of the Arbëreshë ethnic and cultural heritage.
The museum is housed in Civita’s former town hall, a building renovated to host exhibitions dedicated to peasant culture and local traditions. The facility is divided into four rooms, each of which offers a deep immersion into the daily life, customs and ritual practices of members of the Arbëreshë community. Among the exhibits are agricultural tools, traditional costumes, and an extensive collection of photographs documenting the life of the Arbëreshë communities in Italy, making the museum a meeting place between past and present.
In addition to its collection of objects, the Arbëresh Ethnic Museum boasts a specialized library on ethnic Arbëreshë and a section dedicated to Byzantine liturgy, reflecting the community’s cultural and religious heritage. This space is not just a static exhibit, but a vibrant hub for research and education, where students, scholars and visitors can explore the rich history of a group that has managed to keep its traditions alive despite the challenges of time.
The museum is run by a group of passionate volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring the accessibility and usability of the facility. Admission is free, and spontaneous donations are welcome to help run it, with the goal of continuing to promote the Arbëreshë heritage.
The Ethnic Arbëreshë Museum in Civita is not just a place of exhibition, but a laboratory of culture and knowledge, where the past meets the future and where the stories of the Arbëreshë continue to live on through the generations.