Sue Gilmurray visited the Ethnographic Museum in Kruje, Albania in early June 2017. Kruje is a town and municipality in the highlands of north central Albania. Located between Mount Krujë and the Ishëm River, the city is only 20 km north of the capital of Albania, Tirana, and is best known as the hometown of Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero. Krujë was originally inhabited by the ancient Greek Illyrian tribe of the Albani. In the Middle Ages its hilltop location allowed the Albanians, led by Skanderbeg, to resist the Ottoman conquest for nearly 35 years until 1478.
In the museum there were extensive examples of felting, weaving, knitting, and embroidery, but photography was limited to available light only so Sue could only get a few photos to share with us. The most common textile was felt, with many examples of vests, hats, boots and dresses.
There was even a work room with rudimentary machines dedicated to felt making.
In the market place examples of felt hats and slippers are available as well as kilim style weaving.