House of Leaves
House of Leaves is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Tirana audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~75 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type museum
- Suggested visit ~75 min
- Tirana Tirana guide
About House of Leaves
The villa in central Tirana where the communist secret police, the Sigurimi, listened in on Albanians' lives, now the Museum of Secret Surveillance, dedicated to the innocent people spied on, imprisoned and executed.
The House of Leaves, Shtëpia me Gjethe, named after the climbing plant that covers it, is a two-storey villa of 1931 in central Tirana, said to have first served as a private maternity clinic. Under communism it became the interception centre of the Sigurimi, the secret police, where telephone calls, letters and private lives were monitored until 1991.
Since 2017 it has been the Museum of Secret Surveillance, dedicated to the innocent people who were spied on, persecuted, imprisoned and executed. Its 31 rooms show listening equipment, cameras, a darkroom and original files. It won the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2020. Its subject is painful; visit with respect.
How long should you spend at House of Leaves?
Plan about ~75 min at House of Leaves. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is House of Leaves worth visiting?
House of Leaves is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Tirana, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Tirana
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about House of Leaves and read more:
Day 1 of the Tirana in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of House of Leaves
Preview the Tirana tour free in the Gingerguide app.