heritage sites – Albanian  Telegraphic  Agency. https://en.ata.gov.al News Agency Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:50:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Cultural heritage sites draw more than 1 million visitors in first eight months https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/09/08/cultural-heritage-sites-draw-more-than-1-million-visitors-in-first-eight-months/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/09/08/cultural-heritage-sites-draw-more-than-1-million-visitors-in-first-eight-months/#respond Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:39:01 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=305618 TIRANA, Sept. 8 /ATA/ – More than 1 million domestic and foreign visitors toured Albania’s cultural heritage sites in the first eight months of 2026, with Gjirokaster Castle being the country’s most visited attraction, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Tuesday.

A total of 1,062,067 visitors were recorded at cultural sites between January and August, up 65% from the same period in 2023, Gonxhja said.

Visitor numbers were 21.3% higher than in 2024 and 5% above the figure recorded in 2025, he added.

Archaeological parks attracted 448,711 visitors during the period, while castles and cultural monuments recorded 312,220 and national museums 301,136.

Gjirokaster Castle topped the list of individual attractions, drawing 223,280 visitors, followed by the Butrint National Park with 204,867.

The Archaeological Park of Shkoder recorded 135,293 visitors, while the “Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu” Museum in Kruje welcomed 104,128.

The Archaeological Park of Apollonia attracted 91,764 visitors, while the “Onufri” Iconographic Museum in Berat recorded 70,143.

Albania has increasingly positioned its cultural and historical heritage alongside its coastal and mountain attractions as part of its tourism offering. The rise in visitor numbers highlights growing interest in the country’s cultural heritage, including its history, monuments and archaeological sites, the ministry said.

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]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/09/08/cultural-heritage-sites-draw-more-than-1-million-visitors-in-first-eight-months/feed/ 0 Bylis, Orikum and other sites designated as immovable cultural heritage https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/04/17/bylis-orikum-and-other-sites-designated-as-immovable-cultural-heritage/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/04/17/bylis-orikum-and-other-sites-designated-as-immovable-cultural-heritage/#respond Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:18:43 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=293041 TIRANA, April 17 /ATA/ – The government has designated several key sites as “immovable cultural heritage”, including major archaeological parks and urban heritage areas across Albania, under a decision approved on Friday.

The Council of Ministers adopted the measure following a proposal by the Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister.

Among the sites granted protected status are the Bylis Archaeological Park and Klos, alongside the approval of zoning and management plans covering their preservation, protection and administration.

The government also designated the “A” archaeological zone in Bushat, in the municipality of Vau i Dejës, as immovable cultural heritage, approving its zoning and conservation framework.

In addition, the Orikum Archaeological Park was granted the same status, in line with its officially defined zoning map and geodetic reference coordinates.

The decision further includes the designation of an “urban architectural ensemble” in the town of Delvinë as immovable cultural heritage, also accompanied by a detailed zoning and protection plan.

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]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/04/17/bylis-orikum-and-other-sites-designated-as-immovable-cultural-heritage/feed/ 0 EU4Culture-funded publication features five cultural sites in Tirana https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/01/13/eu4culture-funded-publication-features-five-cultural-sites-in-tirana/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/01/13/eu4culture-funded-publication-features-five-cultural-sites-in-tirana/#respond Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:50:05 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=284803 TIRANA, Jan 13 /ATA/ – The European Union-funded EU4Culture project has published a book titled “Approaches – Heritage as Infrastructure for Self-Reflection.”

The publication brings together five essays by contributing authors examining five emblematic structures in Tirana, ranging from the “Albania” mosaic and the Puppet Theatre to the National Gallery of Arts, the former Italian Legation and the “Sotir Kolea” Centre.

The five cultural sites are analysed in depth, offering new perspectives on the relationship between heritage, society and cultural identity.

Through these texts, heritage is seen as an infrastructure for social self-reflection. The publication is bilingual, in Albanian and English, and is designed to be accessible to a wide audience. It is available in PDF format on the ANNEX PILOT platform and as an audio version on Spotify.

The book forms part of the EU4Culture grants programme and was produced by United Nations Association Albania following a research-driven, interdisciplinary collaboration.

It explores cultural heritage as a space for dialogue and reflection on how public spaces are understood and experienced today.

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]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2026/01/13/eu4culture-funded-publication-features-five-cultural-sites-in-tirana/feed/ 0 Albania showcases cultural treasures near Tirana to boost tourism https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/14/albania-showcases-cultural-treasures-near-tirana-to-boost-tourism/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/14/albania-showcases-cultural-treasures-near-tirana-to-boost-tourism/#respond Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:00:53 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=271905 TIRANA, Aug 14 /ATA/ – Albania is promoting a string of cultural heritage sites just outside the capital in a bid to attract more visitors seeking history alongside its beaches.

The Regional Directorate of National Culture in Tirana has launched a video highlighting destinations such as Cape Rodon, home to the 15th-century Skanderbeg Castle and the 13th-century Church of St. Anthony, where green hills meet the Adriatic coast.

The campaign also features the restored Ethnographic Museum in Kruja, which houses about 1,000 artefacts with interactive exhibits, and the historic Old Bazaar nearby.

Other sites include the ruins of the Gjuricaj Basilica, the medieval Bukaq Bridge and Bashtova Castle, a 15th-century Venetian fort recently conserved to welcome visitors.

Officials say the initiative aims to combine Albania’s rich history with its growing tourism industry, offering alternatives beyond sun-and-sand holidays.

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]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/14/albania-showcases-cultural-treasures-near-tirana-to-boost-tourism/feed/ 0 Number of visitors to historic fortresses, castles increases in first quarter https://en.ata.gov.al/2022/04/13/number-of-visitors-to-historic-fortresses-castles-increases-in-first-quarter/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2022/04/13/number-of-visitors-to-historic-fortresses-castles-increases-in-first-quarter/#respond Wed, 13 Apr 2022 18:11:58 +0000 http://en.ata.gov.al/?p=176452 TIRANA, April 13 /ATA/ – Historic castles, cultural heritage sites and archaeological parks across Albania have become very popular cultural tourism destinations for both international and local visitors.

Number of visitors to the historic fortresses and castles across the country grew in the first quarter of 2022, Minister of Culture Elva Margariti said Wednesday.

The number of visitors increased to 8326 in the first three months of 2022, up from 6.274 visitors during the same period of the previous year.

Culture Minister invited Albanian and international tourists to visit Albania’s cultural heritage sites as a precious treasure of the Albanian nation.

In addition to its coastline and pristine beaches, Albania is home to many cultural monuments and archaeological parks where culture and history admirers can enjoy a special tour to these sites.

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