Officials lobbying to fund Durres amphitheatre’s revitalization

TIRANA, Nov. 25 – Albanian culture officials are 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.
Visiting the Durres amphitheatre last weekend, the head of this Institute Apollon Bace said Chinese companies had expressed interest to revitalize the amphitheatre.
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,” Bace 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.
Earlier this year, the Orpheus mosaic, discovered in the basement of a private house in 1988 in the city of Durres, was added to the list cultural monuments in Albania.