TIRANA, April 7 /ATA/The Tower Revitalization Programme, an initiative that interlinks heritage, tourism, and sustainable development, is being expanded through the involvement of the State Cadastre Agency and the Faculty of Architecture. In cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, these two institutions will consolidate an integrated approach to addressing property ownership issues and advancing restoration projects, thereby strengthening the foundations for investment, local economic development, and the growth of cultural tourism.”
Speaking at the launch of the new phase in Malësia e Madhe, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja said the programme is designed to preserve and breathe new life into one of Northern Albania’s most emblematic cultural landmarks, ensuring it becomes an integral part of modern society.
At the same time, Minister Gonxhja noted that the programme contributes to transforming this heritage into a valuable asset for the economic and social development of local communities.
Gonxhja underlined that the Tower Revitalization Programme in Northern Albania has reached an advanced stage of institutional and technical development. Between 2023 and 2025, a pilot project carried out with GIZ Albania established a practical model for integrating towers into the tourism sector. The initiative brought in 20 towers, guesthouses and agritourism units, introduced structured tourist itineraries, and enhanced the skills of local operators in service delivery, hospitality, promotion and cultural heritage interpretation.
Building on the results of this phase, in November 2025 the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport launched the National Programme for the Revitalization of Towers and formalized its cooperation with GIZ Albania through a Memorandum of Understanding.
Gonxhja stressed that current efforts are focused on building a comprehensive database and preparing concrete interventions. Key activities in this phase include the inventory of towers across four counties—Lezhë, Shkodër, Dibër and Kukës—digital mapping through GIS systems, analysis of legal and ownership status, and the development of restoration project concepts in collaboration with the Faculty of Architecture. Recommendations have also been drafted for functional use in areas such as museology, ethnography, musicology and culinary heritage. In parallel, a fully integrated programme for the revitalization of towers is in the pipeline.
According to Minister Gonxhja, a total of 523 towers have so far been inventoried and documented, covering elements of architecture, ethnography, culinary heritage and tourism potential. A digital GIS platform has also been established, serving as a key instrument for planning and decision‑making.
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