According to Orges Feimi, Director of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage (DRTK) Vlora, a total of 51,104 visitors toured seven monuments and archaeological parks under the institution’s administration between January and August 2026, compared with 46,167 visitors during the same period last year.

The increase was recorded despite the temporary closure of Kanina Castle, which has remained inaccessible to the public due to ongoing restoration works.

Visitors have shown strong interest in the region’s rich history, architecture and cultural heritage.

“Historical monuments represent an important component of Vlora’s tourism offer, complementing the region’s well-known coastal attractions. The highest visitor numbers are recorded during the summer season, particularly in July and August, while September continues to show strong interest in heritage sites,” Feimi said.

At the top of the list of the most visited monuments stands Porto Palermo Castle, which welcomed 34,717 visitors between January and August 31, 2026, making it one of the most frequented cultural heritage sites in southern Albania.

The growing number of visitors to monuments and archaeological parks also reflects a broader diversification of tourism in the region, where cultural and historical heritage is increasingly complementing the appeal of beaches and natural landscapes.

The sites managed by DRTK Vlora include the Amantia Archaeological Park, Finiq Archaeological Park, Orikum Archaeological Park, the Monastery of the Forty Saints in Saranda, the Church of St. Nicholas Monastery in Mesopotam, Kanina Castle, and Ali Pasha Castle in Porto Palermo.

These sites continue to play a significant role in the region’s tourism itineraries, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the history and cultural legacy of southern Albania while enriching the area’s overall tourism product.

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Located around 21 kilometres from the city of Korça, Voskopoja is part of the region’s broader tourism offer. In winter, its snow-covered landscape frames the village’s natural scenery, while in summer it becomes a destination for adventure sports. The mountain village offers year-round opportunities for cultural and historical exploration, with each season providing a distinct experience.

A defining feature of Voskopoja is its religious heritage, particularly its historic churches. Among the most notable are the Church of St. Nicholas, St. Mary, St. Elijah, the Monastery of St. Prodhromos, St. Athanasius and St. Michael. These are classified as first-category cultural monuments and have been consistently preserved and restored due to their architectural and historical value.

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) offers images from the Church of St. Nicholas, one of the most significant monuments of national cultural heritage, which continues to attract an increasing number of visitors each year.

The Church of St. Nicholas is considered the most important in Voskopoja in terms of its post-Byzantine basilica-style architecture. It was constructed between June 1721 and September 1722, while its bell tower was built at a later stage. It was declared a first-category cultural monument in 1948, reflecting its exceptional architectural and artistic significance.

Located in the centre of the village, the church is a key testament to Voskopoja’s historical importance. It includes all the main architectural elements of a post-Byzantine Basilica: nave, narthex, arcade and bell tower.

The nave was painted around 1726 by David Selenica, one of the most prominent iconographers of the 18th century, in the traditional Paleologan artistic style, also known as the Macedonian school. The arcade was later painted around 1750 by the Korça-born Zografi brothers, Athanas and Kostandin, who depicted numerous scenes from the Apocalypse cycle. Their work at St. Nicholas is distinct from similar cycles in other churches, including St. Athanasius, reflecting independent artistic interpretation.

In 1960, the arcade suffered significant damage following a strong earthquake, shifting approximately 28 centimetres from the nave. A major restoration campaign carried out in 1962 by the Institute of Cultural Monuments successfully stabilised and restored the structure.

The church’s iconostasis was crafted between 1722 and 1726 by master artisan Kostandin Ieromonaku, one of the leading icon painters of the early 18th century. Today, part of the original icons is preserved at the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korça.

Beyond its natural beauty and winter activities, Voskopoja also offers traditional cuisine, including local specialties such as lakror and other dishes prepared with organic regional products.

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The minister on Tuesday highlighted a significant increase in visits to the country’s cultural heritage sites, with 773,542 visitors recorded from January to July 2025, marking a 69% rise compared to the same period in 2023.

In July alone, cultural sites across Albania welcomed 204,453 domestic and foreign visitors, marking a 56% increase year-on-year.

Top 5 most visited sites were Gjirokastër Castle, Butrint Archaeological Park, Gjergj Kastrioti Museum, Krujë, Shkodër Archaeological Park and Apollonia Archaeological Park.

Archaeological parks attracted 334,911 visitors – up 93% from 2023. Museums received over 240,000 visitors, a 38% increase, while castles and monuments welcomed more than 198,000 people, a 78% rise compared to the same period two years ago.

Officials say the trend reflects growing international interest in Albania’s historical and cultural assets.

Albania is home to many archaeological and historical heritage sites dating back to Illyrian, Roman, Ottoman, and beyond, including Butrint, Apollonia, Orik and Amantia , as well as old castles, including the castle of Gjirokaster, Lekurs castle in Saranda, Kruja castle, Berat Castle, Petrela castle in Tirana, Ali Pasha castle in Tepelene, Rozafa castle in Shkoder etc.

Some of the must-see museums include the Iconography Onufri Museum and the Ethnography Museum in Berat, Archaeological Museums in Durres, Tirana, Korça, the Weapons and Ethnographic Museum in Gjirokaster, Ethnography Museum in Saranda, National History Museum in Tirana, Archaeological Museum in Tirana, History Museum in Shkoder etc.

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