Albanian medieval icons to be exhibited in France’s Chambéry Fine Arts Museum

More than 45 iconographic masterpieces from Albania’s National Museum of Medieval Art in Korçë will be showcased in France in a landmark international exhibition. The exhibition will open at the Museum of Fine Arts in Chambéry in May 2026 and remain on display until October, after which it will move to another French city through March 2027.

Why is this important: This initiative marks a significant step in the internationalization of Albanian art, affirming Korça’s role as a key center for medieval art in Southeastern Europe.

Albania’s Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja, described the exhibition as a “unique cultural event” that will introduce selected icons from Korça’s renowned collection to French and international audiences. He also noted the exhibition’s inclusion in the French Scientific Committee, further strengthening institutional cooperation between Albania and France.

 Context: The National Museum of Medieval Art in Korçë houses over 8,200 cultural objects, including 6,400 icons, making it the largest icon collection in the world. The museum is widely regarded as a rare treasure of both Albanian and global cultural heritage.