National Archeological Museum in Tirana is established in 1948 and it was named Ethnography Archeologic Museum. It is transformed totally in archeo logical museum in 1976 due to the expansion of the researches and studies. At the moment it is the center that represents the greater part of archeological property in Albania. The museum has some 18 thousand objects belonging to different historical periods. More than 2000 objects, including sculptures and small objects, are presented in its three sections. These objects belong to different historic periods from stone epoch to Turkish invasion. Some of the objects are shown in the sections of the museum due to the lack of the space, and apart of them are not of great importance.

Iconography

Kostandin Shpataraku, church painter of century XVIII, who isthought to come from Shpati province, Elbasan (Middle Albania). His works are found in National Museum of Medieval Art in Korcatown. There is a tendency in treating the figures with obviouslively elements, clothes of the time, natural composition and dynamic drawing. The most ancient icon painted by him is dated1736. He is master of many icons in Ardenica Monastery, Cikalleshi (near to Kavaja), Saint Peter in Vithkuq, Saint Procop in Pogradeci. Among the famous icons is the one titled "Saint Johan Vladimir". The central figure of Vladimir is surrounded by 12 scenes. Among them is the figure of Karl Topia, who is showing the church in background.

Baptizing Formula

Baptizing Formula (1462) is the oldest document of written Albanian language we know till now. It is a short sentence inAlbanian language among a letter written in Latin by Durresi bishop Pal Engjelli. The sentence is a formula to be used by the families to baptize their children. It is found in Laurentiana Library in Milano, Italy by Romanian historian Nikolla Jorgo, who published it in 1915.

Source: Albanian Government

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