The restoration project, prepared by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), aims to preserve the monument’s historical, architectural and cultural significance.

The Ministry said restoration work, to be carried out under the supervision of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Vlora, will begin shortly and will follow modern conservation standards while preserving the monument’s authenticity and historical integrity.

The investment is expected to safeguard one of Vlora’s most important cultural heritage landmarks and ensure its preservation for future generations.

The Muradie Mosque, located near Flag Square in the centre of Vlora, was built in 1542 on the orders of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, according to an inscription formerly displayed at its entrance. It is traditionally attributed to the celebrated Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan, often referred to as the “Michelangelo of the East.”

The mosque is distinguished by its 12-sided drum rising above a cubic prayer hall – a classic feature of early Ottoman and regional mosque architecture, designed to transition a square room into a rounded dome – a semicircular mihrab facing the main entrance, and a carved stone minaret with stalactite-style decorative elements. The site is regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Ottoman religious architecture in Albania.

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The initiative seeks to preserve the castle’s architectural heritage, while improving public spaces, infrastructure and services, with the goal of attracting more visitors and creating new opportunities for local businesses in the central Albania city of Elbasan.

A memorandum of understanding for the project was signed on November 14, 2024, by the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), the Municipality of Elbasan, the Ministry of Culture, Economy and Innovation, and the Minister of State for Local Government.

The project extends beyond the restoration of historic buildings, envisioning a broader regeneration of the Castle district by linking cultural heritage with tourism, economic activity and community development.

Elbasan Mayor Gledian Llatja has described the castle as one of the city’s most valuable historical assets and a cornerstone of its strategy to expand cultural tourism.

Preparatory work has included a comprehensive survey of 434 buildings within the Castle quarter, assessing their architectural and historical significance, ownership, infrastructure and current economic activity.

The municipality has also provided technical documentation, archival material and data on public infrastructure and previous investments to support the planning process.

The proposed redevelopment includes the restoration of heritage buildings, upgrades to streets and public squares, improved lighting and signage, modernisation of underground infrastructure, enhanced accessibility and measures to improve public safety.

Officials say the revitalisation is expected to boost tourism and support local businesses, including traditional crafts, gastronomy, hospitality and family-run enterprises, by encouraging visitors to spend more time in the historic district.

The project also aims to improve living conditions for residents by preserving the Castle’s historical character while creating a more functional and vibrant urban environment.

Elbasan Castle, one of Albania’s best-preserved historic fortifications, has long served as the city’s civic and commercial centre. Officials say the redevelopment seeks to ensure the site remains not only a symbol of the city’s past but also a driver of its future development.

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The Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja said Saturday that the project on restoration of one of most visited religious and cultural heritage sites in Albania includes reinforcement of the monastery’s wall structure, restoration of its floor, cleaning of the joints along the perimeter of the church; restoration-treatment of the wooden structure; cleaning of the facade from biological patina.

The magnificent monastery of Ardenica is remotely located on a hilltop between the towns of Lushjë and Fier, nestled in a serene landscape of lush greenery, amidst a forest of pine and cypress trees.

This 13th-century monastery is renowned for its well-preserved Byzantine architecture and intricate frescoes.

The monastery lies in an area of 2.500 square meters and it is composed of the Saint Mary Church, the chapel of the Saint Trinity, a mill, and a barn houses.

The Church of Saint Mary within the monastery contains frescos from brothers Kostandin and Athanas Zografi, notably one of Saint John Kukuzelis, born in Durrës, Albania.

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