The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Prime Minister of Albania inaugurates Archaeological Museum of Durrës
Fully restored by UNOPS under the EU4Culture programme, the museum saw major European Union investment in Albania’s cultural heritage.
The Archaeological Museum of Durrës is the largest archaeological museum in Albania, housing more than 2,800 artefacts from excavations in and around the ancient city of Dyrrhachium.
Severely damaged by the 2019 earthquake, it has now been fully restored and modernized with a contemporary museum concept under the EU4Culture programme, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by UNOPS in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports.
The museum has transformed into a resilient cultural landmark that preserves and presents Albania’s archaeological heritage.
This is a truly transformative effort that speaks for itself, as reflected even in the external appearance of this museum, which has been fully reimagined inside, enriching the museum narrative and bringing the entire institution to a new level."
The €40 million EU4Culture programme represents the largest EU investment in cultural heritage in the Western Balkans.
"This programme goes beyond restoring cultural heritage; it has helped revitalize Albania’s cultural landscape after the 2019 earthquake while engaging local communities and supporting artists," said H.E. Silvio Gonzato, EU Ambassador to Albania.
Over the course of the EU4Culture programme, 23 heritage sites have been restored and revitalized and 64,000 working days have been generated, with involvement from engineers, architects, researchers, academia, the private sector, national institutions and communities.
"This project [...] stands as a clear testament to our commitment to safeguarding our identity and transforming it into a valuable asset for future development," said Blendi Gonxhja, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports.
The EU4Culture programme demonstrates how a strategic investment and a shared vision can turn into tangible and lasting results, contributing to sustainable local development and a better understanding of the value and importance of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
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