The Portico of the Apollonia park, damaged a couple of years ago by landslides, has been scheduled to be restored under the project
TIRANA, Nov. 19 – 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.
Last summer, the European Commission announced Euro 2.8 million of EU funding for three Western Balkans sites. Projects to be financed are the Franciscan Monastery of Bac in Serbia, Banja Luka Kastel in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Apollonia Archaeological Site in Albania.
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 museum of Apollonia, the second biggest archeological park in Albania after Butrint, 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.
