Tahir Beu Inn
The Tahir Beu Inn in Peja is Kosovo’s Ottoman guesthouse of memory, an 18th-century konak where traveling merchants once found shelter, now restored as the city’s Ethnographic Museum with over 2,000 artifacts spanning Illyrian to modern times.
The Story
Built in the 18th century, the Tahir Beu Inn was designed as a konak—a traditional Ottoman guesthouse offering shelter to merchants and travelers visiting Peja for trade. Its location at the junction of the Old Bazaar and city center made it a vital node in the town’s commercial and social life.
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.
Insider Tips
Last update
Nov 30, 2025
Admission: Entry ticket required; discounts available for students and groups
Photography: Allowed inside and outside; flash discouraged in exhibit rooms
Open Hours: Monday–Friday: 08:30–15:30
Weekends (May–October): 10:00–14:00
Alternate Names: Konaku i Tahir Beut, Tahir Bey Guesthouse, Peja Ethnographic Museum
Getting There: Located at Haxhi Zeka Square, near the Old Bazaar and Gocka Tower. Easily walkable from central Peja
