The new bridge over Osum in UNESCO’s Berat, EU investments connect communities in Albania
A new panoramic bridge of 290 meters over the Osum River now connects the villages of Bilçë, Malinat, and Zhitom with Berat in Albania and its UNESCO-protected heritage site, addressing early challenges and creating new opportunities for both locals and international tourists.
While providing faster access to the city for over 2,500 residents in these nearby villages, the bridge has also significantly reduced the number of vehicles passing through the historic center, helping to preserve and protect it.
The new bridge benefits not only Bilçë but also villages like Drobonik, Bardhaj, Zhitom, and Terpan. The investment, an initiative funded by the EU through the Local Economic Development Support Program Driven by Tourism, has, according to local residents, doubled the area’s value, encouraging farmers to invest more in agricultural production and creating new opportunities for businesses, artisans, and local entrepreneurs.
Considering Berat’s extraordinary potential for local and international tourism, the Bilçë Bridge facilitates access to rural areas where visitors can enjoy the gentle hilly landscapes of the region. It also ensures that infrastructure improves the quality of life for those living in the area, as well as for those who visit it. The Bilçë area is known for olive production.
“We wanted a much more comprehensive project in the field of sustainable tourism. In the European Union, the issue of overtourism is becoming increasingly relevant. Many cities are facing the consequences of their popularity. It is the negative side of being so attractive. What we are doing here is ensuring that the increasing flow of tourists does not come at the expense of the quality of life for the citizens of Berat, while simultaneously providing a pleasant experience for visitors,” said the EU ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, during the inauguration ceremony.
He noted how the bridge now strengthens connections between Berat and other parts of the country, including Gjirokastër, Përmet, and Saranda, offering tourists a complete experience to appreciate Albania’s historical heritage, explore its beautiful coastline, and discover the country’s mountainous landscapes, such as Mount Tomorr with its religious pilgrimage, which is now more accessible.
The new bridge over the Osum River, with a width of 12.4 meters and two lanes for vehicles, is part of a broader intervention in natural locations. Due to its position in relation to the city of Berat, it offers panoramic views and reduces travel time to the southern regions of Albania to just one hour.
The production of 554 hectares of olive groves in Bilçë, 160 hectares of vineyards in Malinat, and the surrounding area of Drobonik, known as the “Balcony over Berat,” is now more accessible, fostering new potentials and creating opportunities for a sustainable future. Meanwhile, the Gorica neighborhood on the other side of the city is reviving its capacities, with views from the castle and other cultural monuments that distinguish Berat.
The bridge was built through cooperation between the European Union, the Albanian Government, the Municipality of Berat, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Albanian Development Fund (ADF), within the framework of the Local Economic Development Support Program Driven by Tourism. The program aims to increase the contribution of a sustainable and responsible tourism industry to Albania’s economic growth while simultaneously regenerating the local economy and urban environment. (July 2)
