CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The UNESCO World Heritage city, Gjirokastra welcomes creators and makers for the second year to be inspired by this historic venue and leave their works of art, crafted through stories. This is an open call to all artists, artisans, creators, architects, museum curators, cultural managers, makers, and designers alike, both national and […]
The Artisan Program – In 2007, an Artisan Center was created to provide the facilities to organize a series of trainings for the crafts and artisans (wood and stone carving, tailoring, embroidery, textile) which have had a great impact in the invigoration of the artisan production in Gjirokastra. Nowadays, an Association of the Artisan Women […]
Publications : The foundation is the main organization publishing various books and articles, both for scientific and touristic use, in relation with the attractions, historic places and UNESCO sites in the surrounding areas of Albania. The publications included: Four Historic Cities in the Western Balkans – Values and Challenges (2012) publication dedicated to heritage and […]
Restoration and Revitalization of Zekate House (2004-2005): In May 2004 a full study and recording of the architectural and distinctive features of the Zekate House was undertaken by Richard Andrews, through the Butrint Foundation. Professor Emin Riza (Institute of Monuments, Tirana), Albania’s greatest authority on the houses of Gjirokastra, subsequently designed a project for the […]
The revitalization of the Gjirokastra Castle (2008-2012) – The project encompasses a number of components aimed at restoring and revitalizing the Castle and its grounds and developing sustainable use for the site. Some of the project components were: photogrammetric survey of the Castle; clean-up and de-vegetation of the courtyards and fortified walls; water-proofing of the […]
Cold War Tunnel (2010- 2015). This project for the research, adaption for visitors, and promotion for the Cold War Tunnel of Gjirokastra started in 2010. The tunnel (built in 1970s) is one of the unique sites of the communist heritage in the country. It is situated under the Castle of Gjirokastra, behind the Bashkia (Municipality) […]
REVATO Project – “Revitalization in the Historic Cities of Gjirokastra and Berat, funded by the EU(2011-2013), which addressed a series of problems that prevent the complex efforts for the preservation and development of the UNESCO Sites of Berat and Gjirokastra. This project was one of the biggest supported by the EU in Gjirokastra. Several historic […]
The National Fair of Crafts, Heritage and Tourism: it has been held every autumn since 2007 and its aim is to encourage arts and crafts production with the goal of encouraging the use of heritage for developing tourism in Gjirokastra and at national scale. Every year, this Fair brings together more than 100 artisans, and […]
The Gjirokastra Experiential Tours project (ongoing Project): Based on the new trend of developing tourism of experience, this project aims to identify the traditions of local families (both in Gjirokastra and in the surrounding rural area) and use them as a source for developing niche market tourism. Among the objective of this project is the […]