Tirana Times
TIRANA, Sept. 28 – An Albanian-German team has started a new research expedition at the ancient Roman amphitheatre of Durres as part of a project aimed turning the amphitheatre’s arena into a site for open air concerts and events.
The research and design expedition is being led by Eduard Shehi of the Albanian Institute of Archeology and Thekla Schulz-Brize of the Hochschule Regensburg University of Applied Sciences.
In early 2011, the Culture and Tourism Ministry announced some 25 families living in the territory of the ancient Durres amphitheatre would have their houses demolished and be sheltered somewhere else to pave the way to the rehabilitation of the country’s biggest ancient monument. The displaced families will be provided shelter in a new apartment block in Durres under a government project which will be implemented by the National Housing Entity.
Albanian culture officials have been lobbying to secure funds that would revitalize the Roman amphitheatre of Durres, the biggest in the Balkans, turning it into a site where different cultural events could be attended by up to 1,500 people.
The project was drafted four years ago and initially introduced in Japan’s capital, Tokio, where officials hoped they would secure funding to rehabilitate the amphitheatre. However, the Institute of Cultural Monuments says it has started new negotiations to fund the project whose implementation costs an estimated 2 to 3 million euros.
The first thing to do under the project is to complete excavations in the arena and demolish four houses in the amphitheatre’s southeastern side.
“Although the amphitheatre’s seating tiers are badly damaged, this monument, which is one of the most interesting in Albania, has a mural mosaic, the only one of this kind in the world,” Apollon Bace, the head of Cultural Monuments Institute told reporters.
He expressed his regret that the amphitheatre had not been included in the list of Culture Ministry projects to restore and revitalize cultural monuments under a 5 million euro fund.
According to a decision by the National Council of Archaeology, the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Durres and the newly excavated remains of the Castle of Tirana will be restored and turned into museum centers. Under the project, the Durres amphitheatre which dates back to the 2nd century, will have its museum part restored and visitor areas extended. It will also be made available to the public as a venue for events. The project foresees further excavations and demolition of illegal buildings around the amphitheatre.
Archaeologists have discovered some of the country’s most beautiful mosaics in the ancient city of Durres and its suburbs. Apart from the “Durres Beauty” mosaic which is on display at the National Historical Museum in Tirana, Durres is also known for its mosaic at the ancient Roman amphitheatre, the Arapaj Basilica and several others which are being preserved pending to be displayed.
