Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today on social networks a view of Lin, on the shores of Lake Ohrid, writing that it is a place where history, heritage and nature intertwine.

Lin is a special tourist destination in Pogradec. It blends rich history, nature, and lake views.

A major highlight is the 6th-century Paleochristian Basilica of Lin. It features a newly restored mosaic that is a true cultural treasure.

Beyond its heritage, Lin draws visitors with peaceful beaches. These spots feature clear water, sand, pebbles, natural springs and green surroundings. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented in the social networks this location which has emerged as a must-visit highlight in Pogradec, capturing the attention of a growing number of local and international travelers.

Vila 43 warmly welcomes European travelers seeking a tranquil getaway by Lake Ohrid. Guests can immerse themselves in nature through scenic walks, recreational tours, and on-the-water activities. Afterward, unwind at the on-site restaurant to savor authentic Pogradec flavors, featuring specialties made with the lake’s freshest catch. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Following a proposal by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the government has designated today Lin village an ‘Urban Architectural Ensemble’ and protected as a cultural property.

The decision also approved the management plan for preserving and protecting the area.

Pursuant to the Law ‘On Cadastre’ and current regulations, the State Cadastre Agency is tasked with registering this decision. Implementation shall be carried out by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, the Ministry of Environment, and the Municipality of Pogradec. This decision takes effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media views of Lini, Pogradec. “Natural landscapes and extraordinary history”, wrote Rama.

With small houses built on the edge of the water, on the back of a not very high hill, with small and narrow alleys, paved with small stones, where you can hardly pass by car, Lini arouses the interest of all visitors, of domestic and foreign tourists.

The Paleochristian Basilica of Lini, a monument of the 6th century, represents one of the most important works of cultural heritage in Albania.

The Lini mosaic, now restored, is a precious cultural heritage and at the same time is considered the most unique of all other mosaics with religious characteristics.

Also, in Lin there are several nice beaches with crystal clear water, sand and small pebbles. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

After the most recent important archaeological discoveries, according to which Lini is considered the earliest palafit settlement ever discovered in Europe, it is attracting even more foreign tourists.

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja shared today in the social media views from Lini, where numerous tourists have visited this attraction up close, taking photos and having a taste of the beauties of the old mosaics.

“Lini, the oldest settlement in Europe, which this summer has been a magnet for tourists, not only with the beauty on the shores of Lake Ohrid, but also with the Paleochristian Basilica, a rare monument that preserves wonderful mosaics from the 5th–6th centuries,” Gonxhja wrote in the post.

During this season, 4735 tourists have visited the Basilica of Lin, of whom 3298 are foreigners and 1437 are locals.

In Lin, there have been built a series of guesthouses in recent years, welcoming hundreds of tourists from all over the world.

Lin, the small village on the shores of Lake Ohrid, which appears immediately after descending Qafë Thana in Pogradec, has a rare beauty and stunning landscape. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

After the most recent extraordinary archaeological discoveries, where Lini is considered the earliest stilt dwelling ever discovered in Europe, it is attracting even more foreign tourists.

ATA team visited Lini. Mayor of Pogradec Ilir Xhakolli confirmed to ATA that, “The discovery of the approximately 8,000-year-old stilt dwellings in Lini has influenced the increase in the number of tourists, especially foreign ones.”

As you enter the tourist village of Lini, what every tourist wants to visit is the Basilica of Lini.

“During this season, 4,735 tourists visited the Basilica of Lin, of whom 3,298 are foreigners and 1,437 are locals. The location on top of the hill makes it even more interesting, as tourists who see this cultural monument are also faced with the picturesque view offered from there,” said Xhakolli.

Mayor Xhakolli announced that, “In Lin, there is a project that is being implemented for the sewage treatment and the construction of a museum for the discoveries made recently regarding the 8,000-year-old stilt settlements”.

Also, Xhakolli said that, “The village of Lin is part of the 100 villages government project that carries intervention in the infrastructure of this village”.

In Lin, in recent years have been built a series of guesthouses, welcoming hundreds of tourists from all over the world.

Rozeta Bicja has transformed her house in the center of Lin for 14 years into a guesthouse that she has called “The House of Flowers”.

“Tourists to Lin come from all over the world, but this year more have come from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, England, the USA, etc. They like the guesthouse more because we have preserved the traditional stone house”, Bicja told ATA.

Bicaj emphasized that, “Our family has preserved generation after generation the ethnographic costumes and the hand-woven carpets”.

According to her, tourists also really like the gastronomy of the area.

“Among the most popular dishes among tourists are certainly pie and the spotted lake trout dish, which are cooked by Pogradec housewives”, said Bicaj. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media moments from the visit of foreign tourists to this basilica, one of the most-visited in Albania.

“A typical July day at the Basilica of Lin, amidst the peaceful nature, our precious cultural heritage and the picturesque views that this village by the lake offers, as one of the pearls of Albanian history and cultural tourism,” Rama wrote.

The Paleochristian Basilica of Lin was declared a Cultural Monument, Category I, on June 10, 1973. It dates back to the 5th-6th century AD.

The basilica was first discovered in 1967 during a research expedition by employees of the local museum of Pogradec, who also undertook an excavation campaign to bring it to light.

In 1968, the Institute of Monuments in Tirana launched a more detailed research and concluded that this basilica was one of the most unique ever discovered in Albania. /k.s/p.s./

The University of Bern and the Institute of Archaeology confirm Lin as the oldest stilt-dwelling settlement in Europe.

A four-year collaboration between Swiss and Albanian archaeologists successfully concluded the first phase 2021-2025, qualifying the site near Lin, in Pogradec, as the oldest stilt-dwelling settlement in Europe.

Swiss Ambassador to Albania, Ruth Huber, on Friday praised the commitment of the Albanian side and emphasized the importance of this project both in terms of science and cooperation between the two countries.

She emphasized that this scientific initiative of the University of Bern is a collaboration that also increases the capacities of Albanian scientific institutions.

“The excavations have once again yielded very good results. We can confirm that this is the oldest settlement in Europe with preserved wood and organic materials and it is very special because the findings are very promising,” said Professor Albert Hafner from the University of Bern, team leader.

The Swiss professor described the Lin site as one of the best-preserved sites in Europe and of exceptional value for understanding the beginnings of civilization on the continent.

“We have found abundant archaeological material, both at the ceramic level and in terms of tools, bones, and stone,” said archaeologist Adrian Anastasi.

During the latest mission, teams of archaeologists have conducted research both along the shores of the Lake and underwater. Some of the findings include excavation of land trenches, more wooden pillars of houses, archaeological ceramic layers decorated with impressions – one of the earliest forms of pottery. This proves the connection of the Lin site with the Adriatic coast, a new fence that brings the number of surrounding (protective) rings of the site to five.

The findings also include large piles of pine trees are discovered, which are thought to be the remains of one or more houses. For the first time the tree ring chronologies of the Lin site match those of Ohrid – dendrochronology is working for wider distances. Archaeologists have also confirmed that Lin covers 2,000 years of settlement history and at least 10-12 different phases or villages over the time span of 6,000 – 4,000 BC.

The discoveries in Lin and Buqezë are attracting the attention of international experts and European cultural institutions, turning the area into a reference point for archaeological research and Albanian cultural heritage.

This project, beyond its scientific values, also represents a bridge of cooperation between Albania and Switzerland in promoting the historical wealth of the region.

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These discoveries were made on the basis of the LIN 3 project in collaboration with the Institute of Archeology at the Academy of Sciences of Albania and the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Attending the gathering was Chairman of the Academy of Sciences of Albania Skender Gjinushi.

Prof. Hafner argued that the new findings in the Albanian soil could revolutionize the archaeological knowledge about Prehistoric Europe, as well as the origin of agriculture. The objects found during the work with the LIN 3 project led to the discovery of the oldest palafitte settlement in Europe, dating back up to 8000 years.

Hafner considers it to be the oldest settlement of this type in Europe.

Excavations in land and underwater surveys in 2021-2024 demonstrate that this site has been inhabited for about 2000 years. From 6000 BC to 4000 BC.

Prof. Hafner is one of the most vocal personalities in Europe for the study of palafitte settlements.

The work is in progress and the results are very promising.

The results of the research of the previous years (2021, 2022 and 2023) and the laboratory analyzes carried out at the University of Bern in Switzerland, as well as those in collaboration with the University of Oxford in England, showed that the “Lin 3” is the oldest settlement of this type in Europe.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation is preparing the archaeological documentation necessary for its protection and declaration as an archaeological area. /p.s./

Lin arouses the interest of all visitors, local and foreign tourists with the small houses built by the lake, on the slope of a not very high hill, with its small and narrow alleys paved with small stones where you can hardly drive a car.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media amazing views from Lin where, “The tranquility of the lake is combined in complete harmony with the seasonal products of the skilled working ladies who offer tourists and locals the taste of the ” Made in Albania’ products”.

The 6^th century Paleochristian Basilica of Lin represents one of the most important monuments of cultural heritage in Albania.

The newly-restored mosaic of Lin is another valuable cultural heritage monument and at the same time is considered the most unique of all other mosaics with religious characteristics.

Also, in Lin one can find some nice beaches with crystal clear water, sand and small pebbles.

The place called the “Old Mill” is great for a picnic with its gurgling springs and shade trees. /m.m/p.s./