Collapsed after restoration/ Cultural monument house, 12 years in ruins

2024-11-29 21:31:00, Denoncim CNA

"Stop" traveled to Gjirokastra for a cultural monument of the first category. It is about the house of the Ficos, built in 1902 by Rauf Fico, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania.

Baroque style house, four floors, 27 windows and a courtyard surrounded by stone and roof with stone slates. Grisela Fico, one of the heirs of the Fico clan, says that since 2012 and until 2024, no institution has cared to repair the damage done to the house in 2012 by an unprofessional restoration.

"Intellectuals with an outstanding contribution to society have come out of this door. I will mention my dermatologist and sports commentator. I am Grisela Fico, I am one of the heirs of the houses of the Ficos in Gjirokastër. I went to the "Stop" show so that my voice could be heard. I am here to raise the alarm of the danger of the collapse of Fico's house in Gjirokastër, of this apartment, of this, the first category museum emphasizes, and not only that, its narrative also has a history. It is painful to think that the destruction of a house that has survived for centuries comes after a restoration," said Grisela Fico.

The experts at that time were content with placing some boards in the middle of the house, to avoid its complete collapse.

"One of the trusses supporting the house is missing from the staircase that leads to the attic, and the house tends to go crooked. The funds are gone and it is expected that everything will be closed by placing some support beams to prevent further collapse. Of course, my family members have been interested all this time by knocking on the doors of institutions, but it has become a game of 'cards' that has led us to wait and waste time. Maybe many of those who follow us have seen that dream once in their life that you try to scream, to let out your voice, but that big embarrassment doesn't come out, that's how I've felt these days and I'm sorry, I feel today that my voice is coming out , for raising this alarm."

The interest of "Stop" made it possible, in cooperation with the Director of Cultural Monuments of Gjirokastër Andis Duka, to bring the house of Fico to the attention of the General Directorate of Cultural Monuments, which has issued a decision for the complete repair of the wall of destroyed since 2012.

Andis Duka: The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in the Fico building, which is, as you mentioned, a first-category Cultural Monument, has drawn up a restoration project for this wall, which has such a problem./ tvklan