The abandoned monasteries – about a dozen of them – are located in the hills south and east of the city of Gjirokastra on both sides of the Drin River, which runs through southern Albania. They usually comprise a small complex of monastery buildings clustered around a central church and date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
We are losing thousands of amazing historical sites without visiting them, among them some of Albania’s forgotten treasures. While many of the world’s most important cultural sites are struggling with massive tourist crowds, one of them – a beautiful and unique complex of ancient monuments in Albania – is stepping up efforts to attract more visitors.
At least that is the argument of cultural heritage activists who hope to preserve the remote and historic monasteries and churches of the Drin Valley.
They aim – with the support of the World Monuments Fund (WMF) – to significantly increase the number of tourists, garnering more attention and ensuring the future of these wonderful places.
The abandoned monasteries – about a dozen of them – are in the hills south and east of the city of Gjirokastra on both sides of the Drin River, which runs through southern Albania.
They usually comprise a small complex of monastery buildings clustered around a central church and date back to the 16th and 17th centuries – the period after the Byzantine Empire had given way to the Ottomans.
However, some of them were founded hundreds of years ago. Among the most beautiful are the Church of St. Cyril and St. Julita in Dhuvjan – which may have been built in the 1089th century and date back to XNUMX, the Church of the Monastery of St. Mary (Spile) among the limestone cliffs above Saraqinisht with its stunning frescoed dome, the Church of St. Nicholas in Dhuvjan and the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Stegopoulos.
They have largely survived modern encroachment, partly due to their remote locations in the hills and mountains above the fertile valley plains.
Since 2005, UNESCO has listed the Albanian monasteries as part of a world heritage site – which encompasses a wider group of historic buildings and includes the historic city of Gjirokastra – with its medieval layout, cobblestone streets and pristine Ottoman architecture.
It also includes mosques and fortresses in the city of Berat.
But last month, the World Monuments Fund turned its attention to churches. The monasteries were included in the WMF’s latest biennial “watch list” – among 25 historic sites around the world – which are currently facing major challenges, including climate change, tourism and natural disasters.
Although the number of visitors to Albania is increasing, the Drini Valley remains largely undiscovered by tourists and WMF sees this as an opportunity.
The WMF argues that increasing tourism can provide a sustainable way to support the long-term conservation of these sites, while simultaneously promoting the history of the valley and boosting the local economy.
The World Monuments Fund proposes the development of a cultural trail for tourists.
This would connect the valley's monasteries and would include the restoration of existing paths and access tracks, signage and information for visitors, training of local guides, and the collaboration of local businesses and other stakeholders.
At first glance, the idea seems like a favorable proposition, but striking the right balance between tourism and heritage is not easy.
Richard Hodges, president of the American University of Rome, was involved in the project to grant UNESCO World Heritage status to Gjirokastra in 2005.
He agrees that these magnificent churches deserve to be better known. "Their frescoes are absolutely stunning," he said.
But he stresses the need to tread carefully when aiming to increase visitor numbers. “The key is to preserve these treasures through an assessment of conservation priorities before encouraging the ever-increasing number of tourists to Gjirokastra – which is Albania’s second most popular destination – to visit these gems,” he said. “There is also no doubt that some of the magic of these stunning churches will be lost when they are restored and become part of a tourist trail,” he said. “But if these interventions are not made, we risk slowly losing them altogether.” / Taken from “The Telegraph”
