TIRANË, 28 prill/ATSH/ The Archaeological Museum of Durrës has been fully restored, strengthened, and equipped with modern visitor facilities under the EU4Culture programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports (MTKS).
Severely damaged by the 2019 earthquake, the museum has been carefully rehabilitated and transformed into a resilient cultural landmark that preserves and presents Albania’s archaeological heritage.
In his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Archaeological Museum of Durrës, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said that Durrës is the greatest testimony of the glorious past, but also of a future that learns from the past.
He said that in this city the past is not an obstacle, on the contrary, it is an engine of economic and cultural development, which invites millions of visitors to discover it from year to year.
Although it was founded in 1951 in a two-story villa, the museum moved its extensive archaeological collection to this modern building in 1999.
The minister praised the contribution of Albanian archaeologists, among whom he singled out that of Vangjel Toçi.
According to Minister Gonxhja, in this museum, the public will find over 3,200 objects, divided into redesigned pavilions.
The number of employees at the Durrës Museum Center has increased by 17 people, bringing the number of personnel to 33, where rare but much-needed professions such as restorers, archaeologists and tourist guides will join the new needs of discovery and hospitality.
Thanks to the EU4Culture program, this restoration marks a new beginning.
Speaking at the event, H.E. EU Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato said: “Proud to see the Archaeological Museum reopening its doors and showing the rich multilayered heritage of Albania. People often say that the EU is a faceless and heartless bureaucracy, yet programmes like EU4Culture demonstrate that solidarity lies at its core. This programme goes beyond restoring cultural heritage; it has helped revitalise Albania’s cultural landscape after the 2019 earthquake while engaging local communities and supporting artists. Through strong partnerships with central and local authorities, the programme has delivered tangible results by reopening sites in all municipalities affected by the tragic earthquake, boosting tourism and creating new opportunities for local economies. As Albania moves forward in its EU path, these revitalised spaces will continue to foster creativity, strengthen cultural identity and contribute to sustainable development.”
United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms Ingrid Macdonald said: “As the United Nations in Albania, we are proud to support the restoration of the Archaeological Museum of Durrës through the EU4Culture programme, an important testament to Albania’s rich heritage and resilience. Over the past five years, EU4Culture, an ambitious partnership between the European Union, the Government of Albania, and UNOPS has restored 23 heritage sites, created over 64,000 working days, and engaged more than 12,000 people, many through women-led initiatives. The Archaeological Museum of Durres will generate lasting cultural, economic, and social benefits for Durrës and beyond. This investment is not only in cultural heritage, but in the welfare and prosperity of people and communities.”
The intervention at the Archaeological Museum of Durrës included full structural rehabilitation, repair of earthquake damage, improved visitor accessibility, and the creation of improved museum displays and narrative. The largest archaeological museum in Albania, houses more than 2,800 artefacts from excavations in and around the ancient city of Dyrrhachium.
The Archaeological Museum of Durrës is an intervention under the EU4Culture programme, a €40 million investment by the European Union, representing the largest EU investment in cultural heritage in the Western Balkans. The programme supports the restoration and revitalization of 23 heritage sites across Albania.
The programme has also supported community development and cultural engagement, reaching over 12,000 people through grants and initiatives that promote both tangible and intangible heritage, including crafts, traditions, music, cuisine, and local knowledge.
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