The Bashtova Castle opens after restoration by EU4Culture, Gonzato: We honor the rich heritage of Albania

The Bashtova Castle, one of the jewels of Albania’s cultural heritage, has been restored and brought back to life with the support of the EU through EU4Culture. The 16th-century castle is now a vibrant space for culture, tourism, and community development.

The inauguration ceremony of the Bashtova Castle gathered local authorities, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps in Albania, citizens, and tourists as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of sustainable tourism and cultural heritage management.

“With the restoration of the castle, we want to honor Albania’s rich cultural heritage, but also to create opportunities for sustainable tourism,” said the EU ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato.

“Through the EU4Culture program, we are not only restoring buildings but also creating opportunities for artists, craftsmen, and community engagement,” Gonzato continued.

The opening day of the Bashtova Castle was envisioned with plenty of activities and concerts enriching the life of the area.

“We want to create spaces for discussion, for connection, and for being open. It’s fantastic that a castle built for defense and isolation is turning into a space for engagement, for meetings, and for cultural discoveries. We need fewer walls and more spaces like this for our communities,” said Ambassador Gonzato.

Built in the 15th century, this castle represents a strategic point connecting Albania with the Mediterranean.

Albanian Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja stated that the Bashtova Castle has not only returned to its historical identity but has also been equipped with a modern visitor center, which offers information, contemporary services, and conditions for cultural, educational, and tourist activities.

“International examples show us that revitalizing heritage is an investment with multiple benefits: the castles of Dalmatia in Croatia, those of Puglia in Italy, or neighboring Greece have transformed into attractions visited every year by millions of tourists. Albania should also be part of this map, creating an itinerary of Albanian castles as one of the most beautiful cultural routes in the Balkans,” said Gonxhja.

The Bashtova Castle, with its space of thousands of square meters, is destined to become a multifunctional center: concerts, festivals, exhibitions, theatrical performances, educational activities for children and youth, as well as international thematic events will be held.

“This moment is an excellent example of cooperation between Albania and the European Union, a model that should inspire other similar projects,” said Gonxhja. (August 30)