Extensive Restoration of the Fortress of Prizren

Fortress of Prizren will be one of the major touristic points of Kosovo, in particular, following an extensive restoration that is going to be implemented all-around it. Therefore, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, American Embassy in Prishtina, Archaeological Institute of Kosovo (AIK) and organization Cultural Heritage Without Borders (CHWB) signed a Cooperation Memo on conservation and restoration of the Fortress of Prizren. American Embassy in Prishtina shall allocate 700 thousand Dollars for this project from the Fund of the Ambassador on Cultural Heritage.

The Memo was signed in the fortress, by Minister Memli Krasniqi, American Deputy-Ambassador, Jennifer Bachus, director of Archaeological Institute of Kosovo, Enver Rexha, and director of CHWB, Sali Shoshi.

Minister Memli Krasniqi said that signing of this Memo is a very special moment for cultural heritage of Kosovo. He expressed his gratefulness to American Embassy for the on going support provided to the cultural heritage of Kosovo.

“American Embassy, from the fund of the Ambassador on Cultural Heritage, helped our heritage for many years. We had incredible experience in the past, with the restoration of the public bath of Vushtrri, the fortress of Vushtrri and now we are starting with a new project. This shall be a project which shall facilitate the other part of project commenced by MCYS, the restoration of the fortress of Prizren. Thus, when we regard another common project with the European Union, the one that is for the restoration of the fortress of Novoberda, we are circling conservation and restoration projects of the three greatest fortresses of Kosovo, the one of Prizren, Vushtrri and Novoberda”, said Minister Krasniqi, estimating that the fortress of Prizren s going to be one of the major touristic points of Kosovo.

In her turn, American Deputy-Ambassador, Ms. Bachus, said that she feels very happy that the Embassy is joining MCYS on the restoration of the fortress of Prizren, stating that this monument is hereby being enabled a long-term permanency.

“Kosovo has a rich cultural heritage and fortresses take an important place in this fortune. As it is evident, MCYS has already commenced with the restoration of the fortress of Prizren and I am happy for this. This restoration shall enable a long-term permanency to the fortress. Prizren is placing Kosovo in the cultural map of the world”, she said.

Director of AIK, Enver Rexha, said that in the recent years, the dynamic and approach to cultural heritage has changed a lot and has brought many results.

“While Thanking MCYS and American Embassy for their support, I promise that we shall carry out our work professionally” he stated.

Sali Shoshi, director of CHWB, while expressing his gratitude to MCYS and American Embassy for cooperation and estimating the approach towards heritage, said that by this restoration a new face is coming for the fortress of Prizren.

“Part of the project is also compilation of the story of fortress, a history for visitors as well as the compilation of its management plan. The purpose is that this fortress starts to generate means, and not be a burden to institutions”, he stated.

MCYS and American Embassy in Prishtina earlier, too, have cooperated in similar projects of monument restoration. In 2012, a Memo was signed on the restoration of 6 monuments of cultural heritage. The Embassy allocated 1.5 million Dollard for it. They have also cooperated in other projects.