TIRANA- “Rehabilitation of Qafa e Pazarit quarter” in Gjirokaster kicks off

The bazaar is a monument of the first category and is located in Gjirokastra. It was declared a world cultural heritage by UNESCO in July 2005. The Bazaar is created as a trade-craft complex built between the XVIII – XIX centuries with unique historical, architectural values.

The project “Rehabilitation of Qafa e Pazarit quarter” is in the framework of“Integrated Urban and Tourism Development in Albania” program. The implementing agency, Albanian Development Fund in cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, municipalities of Berat, Permet, Gjirokastra and Saranda, as well as other stakeholders are working since 2017.

Total surface of the intervention is 5,290 m² and all underground infrastructure networks will be reconstructed. The intervention consists in: Restoration of the existing cobblestone paths, walking pavements, squares and stairs, rehabilitation of engineering network which include a fire protection system, lighting network, telephones, Water supply system, sewage network, electricity network that have been installed about 60 years ago and so on.

The cobbled road have not been restored since years 1970-1980, causing deterioration of the stones due to lack of maintenance and repair. 85% of coblestones will be repaired, while the rest will be replaced with new stones with same characteristics.

The project intervention consists also in the rehabilitation of 8 squares and provides urban furniture with wooden benches, information panels, installation of a public water fountain, installation of bicycle parking lots, greenery with flowers and decorative plants etc..

 
“Qafa e Pazarit” plays an important socioeconomic role for the historical center of Gjirokastra. Its position in the center of the city, the compositional extensions and architectonic – decorative aspects, give the complex a special significance regarding the types of Bazaars in Albania. The Bazaar has a radial design, which dates back to the XVII century, creating an organic connection between the inhabited areas. From the main road of the Bazaar, four new roads open, each of them serving as a connection with the residential areas. At the center of the Bazzar we notice a Mosque wich is declared by the Albanian government a “Cultural Monument” since 1973. The Mosque was built since 1973 and was part of Memi Pasha urban plan. It is one of fifteen mosques originally built in the city during the Ottoman period, of which thirteen survived until communist times.

PIUTD is funded by the Albanian government and World Bank and aims at improving urban infrastructure and promoting tourism for local economic development in the municipalities of Berat, Permet, Gjirokastra and Saranda.