Jewish History and Heritage in Albania: A Story of Survival and Resilience

When most think of Albania, their thoughts turn to its mountains, unspoiled beaches, or perhaps its centuries-old Ottoman architecture. Few are aware that this small Balkan nation has one of the most remarkable stories of Jewish survival in Europe. While Jews have lived in Albania for centuries, it was during the Second World War that Albania cemented its position as an unlikely haven.

Early Jewish Presence in Albania

Jewish groups arrived in Albania as early as the Roman period. It was not until the 15th and 16th centuries, however, that the Jewish population began to grow, as Sephardic Jews escaped from Spain and Portugal because of persecution. The Ottoman Empire, which ruled Albania at that time, accepted these refugees, allowing them to establish communities in the cities of Berat, Vlora, and Durrës.

Compared to the rest of Europe, where Jews were often excluded or expelled, Albania provided relative stability. Jewish merchants thrived in trading networks that stretched from the Adriatic to the Eastern Mediterranean. Their numbers fluctuated over the centuries, but their presence was a constant, if low-profile, aspect of Albanian life.

Albania's Heroic Role in World War II

The most characteristic chapter in Albanian Jewish history was that of the Holocaust. Albania had very few Jews at the start of the war. Nonetheless, when Nazi persecution swept across all of Europe, Jews from Germany, Austria, Greece, and Yugoslavia sought asylum in Albania.

What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. At a time when most of Europe shut its doors to Jews, Albania did the opposite. Albania was one of the few countries in Europe where the Jewish population increased during the war. How could this be? The answer lies in an ancient Albanian code of honor named besa.

Besa: A Code of Honor That Saved Lives

The concept of besa—approximately "keeping a promise"—is deeply ingrained in Albanian culture. It calls for an absolute commitment to protection and hospitality, at any personal sacrifice. When the Nazis asked for lists of Jews living in Albania, the government would not comply. Entire communities sheltered Jewish families, often providing them with Muslim or Christian names and forged identity papers.

Farmers hid Jewish refugees in remote mountain towns. City-dwellers disguised them as far-off relatives. Government officials even participated in protecting them. There was no underground movement organizing these efforts—just regular Albanians, following a rigid moral code. At the end of the war, almost all Jewish refugees who had escaped to Albania had survived.

Post-War Albania and Jewish Life Today

After World War II, the majority of the Jews relocated to Israel, the United States, or other nations in Europe. Under the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, Albania was one of the world's most isolated nations, and this further hid its Jewish history. However, some Jewish families remained, and their legacy continued.

When communism ended in the early 1990s, Albania resumed diplomatic ties with Israel, and some of the Jewish heritage sites have since been regained and restored. Today, though Albania no longer boasts a large Jewish community, its history of religious tolerance remains a point of pride. The capital city, Tirana, now hosts Jewish heritage festivals, and individuals continue to try to document the stories of those who hid their Jewish neighbors during the war.

Exploring Jewish Heritage in Albania

For travelers who want to explore Albania's Jewish past, there are several significant sites that offer a glimpse into this lesser-told chapter of history:

The Solomon Museum in Berat: This small but significant museum, housed in a renovated Jewish home, tells the story of the Jewish community in Albania, from the Ottoman period to World War II.

The Vlora Jewish Cemetery: It is one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the Balkans and serves as a silent reminder of what once existed as a thriving Jewish community.

The Holocaust Memorial in Tirana: The monument was unveiled in 2018 and serves to memorialize the Albanians who risked their own lives to save Jews from the Nazis.

Durrës and the Historic Jewish Quarter: While there is not much remaining of the Jewish presence today, Durrës once was an important center for Jewish traders and merchants.

A Legacy of Humanity

Albania's experience with its Jewish community is a testament to the strength of moral courage. At a time of unimaginable brutality, Albanians—many of them Muslim—chose humanity over prejudice. Their conduct during World War II remains a beacon showing what it takes to protect the persecuted, at any cost.

This unique legacy continues to inspire those who visit Albania today. Whether you’re drawn to its landscapes, its history, or its spirit of resilience, Albania offers something deeper—a reminder of the power of kindness in the face of darkness.