The Theater? Today's Albanian Opposition destroyed entire IIth century Roman quarter in Durrës in 2010

 The remains of an II century BC Roman ward in Durrës destroyed in 2010 by the Albanian government of the time.

As the debate and effects continue after the demolition of the national theater between the Government and the Albanian opposition, a number of similar cases of the destruction of ancient culture are being brought to mind by various actors, including the destruction of an old Roman-era neighborhood, which testifies to Roman civilization in Durrës.

And this crime was committed by today's Opposition, that is, when the Democratic Party was in power in 2010.



Two 6-story mansions were erected on the ancient ruins.

In 2010 the head of ICOMOS ( (International organization dedicated to the conservation of the world's monuments and sites)), Giora Solar came to Durrës and saw the excavations in the city center, at the former "1 Maji" park, said that the discovery was more important than Pompeii himself, because it showed the continuity of civilization and traditions.

 The remains of an II century BC Roman quarter in Durrës destroyed in 2010 by the Albanian government of the time.

But in 2010, with the signatures of former Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, Ferdinand Xhaferaj, of that of Institute of Cultural Monuments Apollon Baçe and director of the Archaeological Service Agency Roland Olli, the Albanian "Pompeii" came to an end. On the ruins of an entire Roman neighborhood of the ancient city of Durrës, which was thought to have its origins in the  II BC century were issued construction permits.

 The remains of the ancient Roman neighbor in Durrës destroyed in 2010 by the Albanian government of the time.

The whole city of Durrës witnessed the massacre that was taking place in this important archeological area, everyone saw how the ancient neighborhood was surrounded, how it was concreted and the multi-story buildings were erected before their eyes. But no one denounced the case. Today, two six-story buildings with underground garages have been erected on the excavation surface. A few days ago, one of the members of the Forum for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, journalist Marin Mema, denounced this case on his show - Exclusive.

Some documents, made available by the Forum for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, which date back to 2010, speak clearly of the next massacre in the archeological site in Neighborhood 11, Prokop Meksi Street in Durrës. Despite the discoveries, considered the most important of the last 30 years (even ASHA, the picture of the ruins had put on the annual report, 2010), just a few signs were enough for them to disappear forever. The damage is extraordinary and irreversible, in addition when it comes to a city like Durrës, which is built on the foundations of an ancient civilization, this case can be repeated in the future.

The Document

On July 27, 2010, a working group consisting of 8 specialists and heads of institutions, including former Minister Xhaferaj, former IMK director Baçe and ASHA director Olli, signed the “Decited for the construction of the facility according to the project submitted to the technical secretariat of the ACA”. This decision was also signed by the director of the Archaeological Society who had undertaken the excavation of rescue excavations in this area, "A.K.eR", Gjergj Frashëri. A report by the company states that “the results of archeological excavations and documentation so far confirm the completion of the ASH pre-requisites, that the area in question was part of the Roman city, a neighborhood in the ring near the city walls, but within them.

Document of the decision to destroy the Roman quarter of the 2nd century BC in Durrës and the signatures of those responsible

In the early Byzantine period there was an influx of new reconstructions or plans over the old ones, from the city's artisanal strata. Probably from the middle of the VI century after Christ, the quality of the buildings of the citizens in this area dropped significantly, which are already being built much higher in quota, on the massive fillings of the layers of antiquity and already outside the reduced round walls… ”.

Document of the decision to destroy the Roman quarter of the 2nd century BC in Durrës

Furthermore, this company, which completed its rescue mission on July 22, 2010, proposes “removal of the mosaic surface of 0.6 m2 and its placement in the canvas for museum presentation; museum removal of the work surface (1.7 × 1.10m table) for the production of glass objects; to preserve for museum purposes a fragment of the cobblestone road of about 6 m2 on the west side of the road; dismantling and assembling the foundation stones of the northern wall”.

Document of the decision to destroy the Roman quarter of the 2nd century BC in Durrës

Although it was tangible evidence of an entire civilization, with ruins of buildings, streets, walls, bazaars, mosaics, workshops, it was signed to to be destroyed, to be demolished, to be concreted.