The Congress of Lushnje 1920: Why This Small Town Shaped Modern Albania
Ask Albanians why Tirana is their capital and many will point you to a modest white house in Lushnje. In January 1920, at a moment when the young Albanian state risked being carved up by its neighbours, delegates from across the country gathered here, rejected the existing government and named Tirana as the new capital. If you are interested in Balkan history, the Congress of Lushnje is a story worth knowing, and the house where it happened is now a museum you can visit.
Albania after the First World War
When the First World War ended, Albania's future was far from secure. Parts of the country were under Italian military occupation, and the secret Treaty of London of 1915 had foreseen dividing Albanian territory among neighbouring powers. At the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 to 1920, Albania's fate was being discussed without a strong Albanian voice at the table.
At home, the so-called Government of Durrës was seen by many patriots as too close to Italian interests. Frustration with that situation pushed Albanian leaders to meet and decide the country's future for themselves.
The Congress: 21 to 31 January 1920
The Congress was held from 21 to 31 January 1920 in the house of Kaso (Kasëm) Fuga, a local patriot. Sources differ slightly on the dates of the formal sessions, with some placing them between 28 and 31 January. According to English Wikipedia, 56 delegates attended, representing Albanian regions, neighbouring Albanian-inhabited lands and emigrant communities abroad. Aqif Pasha Elbasani was elected chairman and Ferid Vokopola served as secretary.
Key decisions
The Congress took several decisions that shaped the modern Albanian state:
- It replaced the Government of Durrës with a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Sulejman Delvina.
- It created the High Council, a four-member body acting as collective head of state, made up of Luigj Bumçi, Aqif Pasha Elbasani, Abdi Toptani and Mihal Turtulli.
- It established the National Council (Senate) as a legislative body.
- It named Tirana the capital of Albania, in place of Durrës. This was the Congress's final decision.
According to Albanian Wikipedia, the new government included Ahmet Zogu as Minister of the Interior and Mehmet Konica as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Why it mattered
The Congress reaffirmed Albania's independence and showed that Albanians would not accept the partition of their country. It paved the way for the Vlora War of 1920, and by 1921 Italian troops had withdrawn. Albania's National Tourism Agency describes the Congress as "one of the most decisive moments for the consolidation of the Albanian state".
The Congress of Lushnje Museum
The house where the Congress met was turned into a museum in 1970. It is a white building in the town centre, with five window bays on the middle floor and two on the top floor. Inside you will find photographs and original documents connected to Albania's national history.
Visiting tips
- Check opening hours before you go. Hours and ticket prices can change and are not always published online. Your driver can help you check.
- Allow 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your interest.
- Ask for context: displays may be mostly in Albanian, so reading up beforehand (or bringing a translation app) helps.
- Combine it with the centre: the main square with the "Toka Jonë" monument and plenty of cafés is close by. See our guide to things to do in Lushnje.
Lushnje today
Today Lushnje is a lively Myzeqe town, with around 63,000 people in the wider municipality according to the 2023 census. The Congress remains part of its identity: one of the town's neighbourhoods is called "Kongresi i Lushnjës", and the anniversary is commemorated in January with visits to the museum house. For a few days in 1920, this quiet farming town was the political heart of the nation.
A history day around Lushnje
History lovers can extend the day with a visit to Ardenica Monastery, about 18 km south of town, where Skanderbeg is said to have married in 1451. In just a few hours you travel from Albania's medieval hero to the birth of its modern state.
A simple plan:
- Morning: the Congress Museum and the main square.
- Lunch in town with Myzeqe dishes.
- Afternoon: Ardenica Monastery and the view over the plain.
- Return to Lushnje or continue towards Fier.
Book a taxi in Lushnje
TEMPO Taxi is available 24/7 in Lushnje. Book on our home page, call +355 69 20 36 256 or message us on WhatsApp. We can also pick you up at Tirana airport. The price is agreed before the ride. Your safety is our priority.
