Gjirokastra System of Museums

In the beginning of 2019, CHwB Albania in partnership with Casanova + Hernandez Architects (Netherlands) started the “Design and Supervision of System of Museums – Municipality of Gjirokastra” project, as part of the Project for Integrated Urban And Tourism Development (PIUTD), financed by the World Bank and the Albanian Government, through the Albanian Development Fund. This overall project focuses mainly on urban centers that are of cultural and natural interest to strengthen tourism – thus Gjirokastra.

The overall objectives of the project “Design and Supervision of the System of Museums in Gjirokastra” are as follows:

– design of a tourist-friendly System of Museums, defined by thematic interpretive pathways/trails connecting the different museums, enhanced by activities experience in the study area.

– support the development of a tourism product by offering improved and/or new experiences in exploring the city of Gjirokastra as to encourage tourists to stay longer and have a more enlightening and interesting stay in Gjirokastra.

-Increasing the tourism and the economy in the project zone;

– Good management and prevention from degradation of Gjirokastra museums. To make the difference 4 separate projects were part of the package that the project team selected:

1. Restoration and reconceptualization of the Ethnographic Museum

2. Musealisation of the House of Ismail Kadare

3. The path of Edwad Lear and the Travellers

4. The path of Chronicle in Stone

Urban upgrading, street improvements, pedestrian trails, museums, and lighting are elements that this project addresses, for the development of tourism in Gjirokastra by offering improved and/or new experiences in exploring the city of Gjirokastra as to encourage tourists to stay longer and have a more enlightening and interesting stay in Gjirokastra.

-Increasing the tourism and the economy in the project zone;

-Good management and prevention from degradation of Gjirokastra museums.