Albania’s portion of Lake Ohrid to get UNESCO protection

TIRANA, March 27 – The Albanian part of Lake Ohrid, known as Pogradec Lake, will soon be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List joining the Macedonian part which has been under UNESCO protection since 1979. Albania cultural heritage expects says a UNESCO team is expected to arrive in the next few days assisting with application documentation.
“The extension and full protection of Lake Ohrid both on the Macedonian and Albanian sides proposed by UNESCO is very important. Albania welcomes the initiative which obliges us to undertake all necessary measures to guarantee maximum protection for Lake Ohrid as a natural and cultural heritage of major values,” specialists monitoring Pogradec Lake waters were quoted as saying by local media.
Lake Ohrid lays in southwest of Balkan, shared between Albania and FYROM. It is the oldest lake in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. His origin is tectonic, and it’s suggested to be created 4-10 million years ago. It covers an area of 358.2 square kilometers, two thirds of which belong to FYROM, and one thirds to Albania. The average depth is 164 meters, and the maximum depth 289 meters. On the Albanian side, the Lake is surrounded by karstic mountain ranges of Mokra 1589 m. and Jablanica 1945 m. There are more than 40 rivers and streams that flow in to the lake Ohrid. In the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid there are several nature monuments such as caves, springs, special geological features etc. Lake Ohrid ecosystem is considered as a nature center for conservation of biodiversity and landscape. It is a habitat for conservation of several endemic species of fauna and flora. The Lake Ohrid fish fauna include 17 native species, of which 10 are endemic.
Albania submitted the UNESCO application under the “Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region” file in 2011. “The archaeological findings in the castle area of the city of Pogradec as well as the presence of the monumental tombs of Lower Selca in the region are evidence of the ancient Illyrian civilization. The actual town planning and housing in the historical centre of Pogradec are evidence of the 19th – 20th century town life.
From the architectural point of view the 6th century triconch church of Lin village is a rare example of central plan churches in Albania while its well preserved, highly colored floor mosaics bear outstanding artistic value,” according to criteria submitted to UNESCO.