Ethnographic Museum
Tahir Beu Inn
A silent witness to the bustling trade of the Old Bazaar, where stone and timber preserve the hospitality of Peja’s past.
Getting There
📍 Getting There: Located at Haxhi Zeka Square, near the Old Bazaar and Gocka Tower. Easily walkable from central Peja. The ground floor is accessible, but the upper wooden floor may have steep stairs.
🕒 Open Hours: Monday–Friday: 08:30–15:30; Weekends (May–October): 10:00–14:00.
Independent Arts & Cultural Spaces Curator
Arbër Shala
Insider tips
Photo Tip: Visit during the late afternoon to capture the wood-grain textures in natural light.
Note: Check our events listings for seasonal interior access, as it occasionally hosts cultural exhibits.
Loacally Know as
Konaku Tahir Beut
The Tahir Beu Inn is a premier example of 19th-century urban residential architecture, reflecting the prosperity of Peja’s merchant class during the Ottoman era. This "Konak" (large house) features a distinctive stone masonry ground floor designed for security and storage, while the upper floor utilizes timber-frame construction with cantilevered oriel windows (çardak) that overlook the surrounding bazaar. It serves as a physical record of the craftsmanship and social structures that defined Peja as a major Balkan trading hub before the modern era.
The building features a two-story layout with stone foundations, wooden beams, and arched windows. The ground floor was used for storage and stabling, while the upper floor housed guests in modest but elegant rooms. The inn was known for its hospitality and civic role, hosting both Albanians and foreigners.
Today, the building houses the Ethnographic Museum of Peja, with over 2,000 artifacts spanning Illyrian, Ottoman, and modern periods. Exhibits include traditional clothing, household items, musical instruments, and tools, curated to reflect the rhythms of rural and urban Albanian life. Special carpets made by Albanian women with national motifs are among the highlights.
In 2024 alone, the museum welcomed over 1,500 visitors, both local and international. It continues to serve as a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, educational programs, and community events.
