The Apollonia archaeological park, the second largest archeologist park situated in the southwestern region of Fier, will benefit Euro 750,000 from an EU-funded project supporting the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the Western Balkans, Albanian authorities have confirmed
TIRANA, Feb. 25 – The 14th century Monastery of St. Mary in the archeological park of Apollonia has benefitted from EU funding on the rehabilitation of eight cultural heritage sites in the Western Balkans through the Regional Cooperation Council.
“The works done include urgent consolidation, preliminary investigations to assess and identify the most valuable options for the rehabilitation, and preparation of site management plans to sustain the rehabilitation projects,” said Ivana Nakikj, Head of Secretariat of the RCC Task Force on Culture and Society.
The contribution is part of the European Commission’s 500,000 euro grant for sustaining the rehabilitation of cultural heritage in the Western Balkans.
Additional 2.8 million euro provided by the Commission are expected to be utilized by 2016 for preserving three Western Balkans sites – the Franciscan Monastery of Bac in Serbia, Banja Luka Kastel in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Apollonia Archaeological Site in Albania.
The Apollonia archaeological park, the second largest archeologist park situated in the southwestern region of Fier, will benefit Euro 750,000 from an EU-funded project supporting the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the Western Balkans, Albanian authorities have confirmed.
The Portico of the Apollonia park, damaged a couple of years ago by landslides, has been scheduled to be restored under the project. Built in the IV century A.D the Portico, contains a collection of statues of distinguished heroes of the era. However, since three years because of the damage of the portico, the statues have been transferred in other open-air facilities.
Admirim Xhela, the park’s director, says further details on the use of restoration funds will be decided with representatives of the National Restoration Council.
Excavations in the Apollonia park began during World War I by Austrian archaeologists. The process continues as it is believed that most of the city is still deep below Apollonia’s hills.
Established in the 7th century B.C., by Greek settlers, the ancient city of Apollonia is located 11 km to the west of the modern city of Fier.
Among the most interesting monuments worth visiting are the Bouleterion (city council), the library, the triumphal arch, the temple of Artemis, the Odeon built in the 2nd century B.C., the two-storey 77 m long Stoa, a theater with a capacity 10000 spectators, and the Nymphaeum, a monumental water fountain covering an area of 2000m2.
The Apollonia park also features a museum with some of the most important artifacts discovered in the park.
Closed down on safety grounds in the early 90s, the archaeological museum of Apollonia, reopened its doors in December 2011 after 20 years. Restored under UN and UNESCO assistance, the reopened museum in the southwestern district of Fier, features 750 archeological items and ancient coin treasuries, displayed in a 1,000 m2 area, previously stored in the Archeology Institute of Tirana.
