The Roman-era tomb was discovered during the research project Archaeological Investigations in the Bulqiza Valley, led by the Institute of Archaeology. It features a large funerary structure measuring approximately 9 by 6 metres, including a 2.4-metre-high burial chamber and rare architectural and epigraphic elements.

A bilingual inscription found at the site is dedicated to the deceased, named Gellianus, and to the god Jupiter. “This is the first inscription of its kind ever discovered in the Dibra region,” Minister Blendi Gonxhja said.

The complex includes three distinct spaces: the burial chamber, an antechamber, and a monumental staircase. Archaeologists also recovered fragments of grave goods, including glass vessels, bone objects, weapons, and textiles woven with gold thread, suggesting the high social status of the deceased.

Experts believe the structure is a mausoleum, marking a significant contribution to the study of Roman hinterlands in Albania.

Due to its importance, the National Institute of Cultural Heritage, in cooperation with the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Tirana and the Institute of Archaeology, will initiate procedures to place the site under preliminary protection.

The Ministry, along with the relevant institutions, said it would continue supporting further archaeological research in the area.

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The project revitalizes, among other things, a mining area, by building another tourist asset there, the “Division”, which will become one of the most important tourism hubs.

Prime Minister Edi Rama posted today in the social media the innovative project of the “Division” retro tourist center, in Bulqiza.

Rama wrote that this center will be a new example of the transformation of Albanian tourism.

This military zone is expected to be transformed into a tourist destination in Bulqiza, an area from which, according to the head of government, until a few years ago came only sad news of deaths and injuries of underpaid miners or images of children and women with bags of chromium on their backs in an effort to survive.

“This park will be a new economic engine for Bulqiza, which has been historically identified with the mines and then became the image of sacrifice and suffering due to all the difficult stories of the transition that we have already left behind. Now, the time has come for this identification of Bulqiza to be diversified into an area of wonders of nature” – wrote PM Rama.

“The Division” will be a tourist destination with hospitality, with a tourist market of local products, hotels and services, for those who want to stop by or stay longer to explore the nature of this area. /r.e/p.s./

During presentation of the project, Rama spoke with some of the local residents present while evaluating this project as a masterpiece.

“Bulqiza has done a very big thing, it has shown all men that when women want to take power, they take it”, said Rama, referring to the election of Festime Mjeshtri as mayor.

While referring to the owner of the “Ulza” Co., which will build this park, Rama said that, “This man is a Democrat of old and then he became a Christian Democrat, then he himself remained a Christian because the big party left him halfway, but with the Labor Party, i.e. with us, it is work that joins him with us. You will see that this will be a masterpiece”.

PM Rama said that, “What gives me the most pleasure is the day when you see all the tourists who will come here”.

During presentation of this project, Rama also said, “This park constitutes an innovative model of tourism development that will transform a degraded, once military area, into a new destination for tourists”.

“The Division” will be a tourist destination of hospitality, with a tourist market of local products, hotels and services, for those who want to stop by, or stay longer to explore the nature of this area.

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Ledjo Hoxha, in charge of the Press Department at the National Civil Protection Agency, said today to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency that, “Yesterday, the fire was reported as extinguished”.

“Today, the fire has been reactivated in Tërnovë village, Zerqan administrative unit, Bulqizë municipality, as a result of the sliding of wooden waste and logs within the perimeter along which the fire has spread,” Hoxha said for ATSH.

“35 municipal forces were engaged on the ground”, he added, while 25 military troops were also sent in support.

Hoxha underlined that the fire is under control. /a.f/p.s./

“Dibra was in a horrible situation; the travel distance along its roads seemed was never coming to an end and the region was the only one left like that. And now it’s quite a different thing,” said Rama.

PM Rama emphasized that, “We must definitely build the Lura road, as well as make investment in thermal waters, a real project and partnership.” People used to come even when the road was terrible, imagine what a new road can bring, it is an incredible tourism potential”.

Those areas are like heaven, continued Rama; hence we must push towards agri-tourism.

During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, as well as the political leader of Dibra region Belinda Balluku shared the same view and promised the building of the thermal water project. A few days ago Retro took place here and there was the Saint George party and all the hotels were booked”. /k.s/p.s./

First of all, PM Rama thanked those who voted for the Socialist Party for the first time, despite the fact that they are not members of it and on the other hand, he expressed his belief that the opposition’s defeat in the election will help it to rise again.

Rama said that the opposition’s loss in the elections was the loss of two people who have taken hostage the Albanian right-wing, Berisha and Meta.

“I am convinced that this monumental defeat of those who have taken hostage the Albanian right-wing, the Albanian opposition, which is not the defeat of all the people who think differently from us, but of a handful of people, of two people and of a group of blind followers around them, will accelerate the process of rebirth of the opposition. As when there is nothing worse, the day will come when political life will get normalized. Therefore, the main credit goes to those right-wing supporters who did not turn out to vote”, stated the prime minister.

PM Rama also said that for the first time the electoral map shows an Albania that is not divided.

“Not because the whole of Albania should always vote for the SP, but we should push this country and society forward to vote more and more with reason and not political support, demanding an account and charging people with responsibility,” he said./r.e/p.s./

Balluku wrote in a post on social media that, for the first time, the people of Bulqiza trusted a woman, turning down the doubts of many skeptics.

“On May 14 local elections, Bulqiza showed a lot. For the first time, the Bulqiza people trusted a woman, turning down the doubts of many skeptics. Festa Mjeshtri, a local girl from that area took on a difficult challenge, to break a taboo. For days on end, we traveled to every corner of Bulqiza; we met and talked to every person asking for support and the citizens did not spare us. Now, the work begins, to implement those projects that the citizens are waiting for and that we are convinced will not disappoint them, showing that Festa was the right choice so that tomorrow will be better for everyone. Thank you for every vote,” she wrote. /p.s./

The road is rather strategic for development of this area which shortens the travel distance from Tirana – Bulqiza by 21 minutes, as well as offers another spectacle of Albanian nature.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku, visited the new road and then went through the tunnel to exit Bulqiza area.

“Plan i Bardhë-Qafa e Bualli road segment, which was delayed due to the geology of the terrain, will also be opened and will not only shorten further Tirana-Dibra travel time, but will also increase road safety to optimal standards,” said Rama.

Rama said that now Tirana – Bulqiza road and back is covered in 55 minutes or 21 minutes less.

“Be patient even for the last 300 meters in the Murriz tunnel, where it moves slowly every day, until the exit that finally closes this great infrastructural work, which has started to become a powerful engine of the economic development of this entire blessed area,” he said.

This road is built according to optimal standards and the investment also foresees the planting of trees on both sides of the road. /gj.m/r.e/p.s./

During a meeting in an enterprise of the façon sector in Bulqiza, where PM Rama was also present, Deputy Prime Minister Balluku said that the project being drawn up together with the Albanian Development Fund envisages the return of the Division into a hotel and museum.

On the other hand, the deputy prime minister emphasized that the completion of Arbri Road and the opening today of the seventh tunnel of this road makes travel distance from Bulqiza to Tirana only 35 minutes.

“I have met people who used to live in Tirana, but have returned not only to Bulqiza, but also to Gjorica, because now it only takes 35 minutes to travel this distance. Bulqiza will become even better, many investments have arrived. It is no longer an isolated mining area. We also consider it a city that can turn into a tourist spot”, stated Balluku./r.e/p.s./

In context of these informative meetings, Rama said that the businesses of the entire region have all the support of the government to give economic impetus to the area, increase employment and wages.

Rama assured that what has started in Bulqiza and will expand is only the beginning of a new phase of transformation.

“In Bulqiza, we have not done miracles, but we have made a lot of investments for the city to improve it from the urban viewpoint; we have built schools, water pipes, connecting roads within the municipality, but these are not enough. On this basis, we can go further”, he said.

The prime minister spoke further about increase of the minimum salary to 40 thousand lekë where the difference in social security contributions is paid by the government.

“This is a step forward to bring income to families. The minimum salary within April 2025 will be 45 thousand ALL. We will see how we can support women with small children even more. The best is still ahead, the worst is in the past,” said Rama.

The prime minister also positively assessed the direct commitment of the political leader of the SP in the region of Dibra Belinda Balluku for the development of the area./r.e/p.s./