In this work we will reconstruct, through unpublished documents preserved in the historical archive of the Accademia dei Lincei, a part of Giuseppe Schirò's life, precisely the period between 1939 and 1944. In these years he worked as secretary of the Centro di Studi per l'Albania, organ of the Reale Accademia d'Italia, and here he had the important task of coordinating and maintaining contacts with Albanian, Arbëreshë and Italian scholars who dealt with Albanian issues and who, without his contribution, would hardly have been able to build that which until then, and for a long time to follow, was the greatest cultural collaboration between Italy and Albania in all fields of knowledge.

The article reconstructs, through unpublished documents, the life and works of Father Camillo Libardi from Levico. His long missionary experience in Albania, which will intertwine with the important historical events that led to the independence of the small Balkan state, and his little-known but very important research in the Italian and Albanian archives on the history of Albania will be returned to the historical memory.

Antonio Baldacci is a very complex figure of scientist, passionate about the Balkans, traveler and explorer. In this article, after having briefly retraced his exploits as a young explorer, we will give an account of what he did in the last part of his life, when old age no longer allowed him to travel, but his quick and prepared mind continually suggested initiatives that make the most of the experience acquired in the field.

The article aims to analyze the legend of the foundation of the abbey of Santa Maria a Cerrate through written and iconographic sources. Starting from the versions of the legend handed down by the Capuchin friar Luigi Tasselli in 1693 and by Bishop Scipione Sersale in 1747. We will try to clarify the role played by the foundation legend in the erroneous attribution of the abbey to Count Tancredi and the incorrect interpretation of fresco of Sant'Eustachio.

The article reconstructs the personal stories of two eminent Albanologists during the fascist period: Henrik Barić and Norbert Jokl. Both have begun to compile an Albanian etymological dictionary and both have not finished the work.

Taking inspiration from James Clifford's remarks about the profession of anthropologist, the article critically analyzes the collections of Albanian customary norms known as Kanun, with particular reference to the work of Father Francisca Shtjefën Kostantin Gjeçovi: Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit. After a brief overview of the contents of the collection, it reconstructs the work of textualization carried out by the Franciscan father. Subsequently, it analyzes the transcription of such norms from the ancient oral form, by using Walter J. Ong's studies.

In 1939, the Centre for Albanian Studies started working on the collection and publication of historical sources dealing with Albania and the Albanian diaspora. Initially intended as a continuation of Thalloczy-Jirecek-Sufflay's "Acta et diplomata", the work became completely new and independent under the name of "Fonti per la storia d'Albania" (Sources for the history of Albania). An executive committee was appointed for this purpose, and its driving force was undoubtedly Father Giuseppe Valentini, who laid the foundation for the realization of this monumental scientific work. Our paper proposes a reconstruction of all the activities done by the Centre for Albanian Studies for the realization of the work (interrupted by the end of the war and the defeat of the fascist regime), through unpublished material preserved at the Historical Archives of the National Academy of Lincei.

The article reconstructs, through unpublished documents, the relations between Father Fulvio Cordignano S.J. and the Research Centre for Albania. Moreover, it traces back the events that led the Albanian nationalists to argue so harshly with the Jesuit following an article he published in “Rivista d'Albania” in March 1941.

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The article has the purpose to reconstruct, through documents and unpublished letters, Fisha's activity as a member of the Italian Academy and the Centre for Albanian Studies, as well as some relevant events happened after his death, with an emphasis on the publication of the Italian translation of Lek Dukagjini's Kanum that he recommended.