The walls of the Old Town in Ulcinj, collapsed from the south side in January 2021 due to heavy rains and accumulated rubble and debris, have been waiting for reconstruction for almost three years, but it is not yet certain when the ancient fortress could be restored in its authenticity in that part due to new moments during research for the creation of a conservation project.
The Ministry of Finance claims that they allocated 30 euros to the Municipality of Ulcinj last year for the creation of a conservation project, and the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property claims that the document has not yet been approved. However, the southernmost municipality points out that this was not possible because during the preparation for the project, the remains of old tombs and possibly a necropolis were discovered at the site of the collapsed walls, which further complicates the whole process because complex archaeological research is now necessary.
Secretary for Culture, Sports, Youth and Social Activities in the Municipality Artan Cobaj he said that the name of the project is "Archaeological-conservation research for the purpose of carrying out remedial measures on the collapsed part of the southern rampart of the Old Town of Ulcinj", while in the ministry it is titled as "Development of the conservation project of rehabilitation and implementation of remedial measures on the collapsed part of the southern rampart of the Old Town of Ulcinj" ".
Čobaj reminded that part of the southern side of the walls of the Old Town of Ulcinj was demolished in 2021 due to erosion and the pressure of accumulated soil, which opened the problem of protecting the entire stretch of ramparts on that side of the cultural property. He stated that the collapsed segment of the wall was located near the position of object 178, and immediately south of objects 176 and 177, earthen material was deposited in which a larger amount of archaeological material is expected.
"In addition to the ramparts, erosion also erodes the archaeological layers that originate from the time when the city was used from the 4th century BC to the end of the Ottoman rule. In addition to the archaeological layers, the remains of burial structures were also noticed on the profile created by the collapse of the wall. Brick tombs can also be seen to the west next to the newly built building, which indicates that there is also a necropolis on this stretch," Čobaj told "Vijesta".
The program for the protection and preservation of cultural assets for 2022, he reminded, foresees geological, construction-static and architectural research. He stated that after the realization of those researches, and before the preparation of the conservation project of rehabilitation, it is necessary to remove the deposited soil material and conduct protective archeological researches in the wider area of the southern part of the city.
“The first phase would entail the removal of the deposited earth by an expert archaeological team in order to collect the movable archaeological material expected here. After that, the research of the wider space of buildings 176-178 would be started in order to collect all the data needed for the creation of the conservation project", explained Čobaj.
He assessed that the obtained data would be the basis for the development of the final conservation project, which would plan protection measures on that part of the rampart.
"The implementation of the project will greatly contribute to the valorization of this cultural property, in terms of protection and preservation, and then its use, presentation and popularization, which has a direct impact on the cultural life and touristic valorization of the city as well as the cultural heritage of Montenegro," said Čobaj. .
He stated that in order to implement the project, the Municipality has established a partnership with the Center for Conservation and Archeology of Montenegro, as a legal entity that has the appropriate conservation license, professional and technological capacity to conduct conservation research and develop the project.
The Ministry of Finance, i.e. the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, told "News" that through the annual Program for the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Assets for 2022, the Municipality of Ulcinj allocated financial resources in the amount of 30.000 euros for the implementation of the project named. They reminded that in accordance with the provisions of the Law on the Protection of Cultural Property, the owner-holder of the cultural property is obliged to preserve, properly use, regularly maintain the cultural property and to implement other prescribed or established protection measures in a timely manner, which also applies when it comes to the Walls of Stari of the city of Ulcinj.
"But regardless, when it comes to the support of this department, we remind you that it has not been absent in this case, primarily from the aspect of institutional involvement, but also as financial support. In this sense, and appreciating the importance of rehabilitating the collapsed segments of the Old Town's ramparts, this Ministry, through the annual program for the protection and preservation of cultural assets for 2022, has allocated financial resources in the amount of 30.000 euros to the Municipality of Ulcinj for the implementation of the project entitled "Development of the conservation project of rehabilitation and the implementation of rehabilitation measures on the collapsed part of the southern wall of the Old Town of Ulcinj", writes in the answer to the questions of "Vijesti", which is signed by the Director General of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, M.Sc. Dobrila Vlahović.
From the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property, they reminded that their team immediately after the notification about the collapse of the ramparts, in January 2021, visited the site in question and recorded the damage. All relevant institutions were informed about the situation found on the ground, attention was drawn to the alarming nature of the situation, and a request was sent for help in initiating the necessary procedures.
"According to the request of the Municipality of Ulcinj for the issuance of conservation conditions, on May 24, 5, the Administration issued conservation conditions for the preparation of urban planning and technical conditions for the rehabilitation of the collapsed part of the southern rampart wall, on cat. lot. no. 2021/2360 and 1/3606 KO Ulcinj, Ulcinj Municipality. Please note that in accordance with Article 3 of the Law on the Protection of Cultural Property, for the preparation of a conservation project for the implementation of conservation measures on an immovable cultural property, the Administration, at the request of the owner, i.e. the holder of the cultural property, issues conservation conditions", it is written in the Administration's answers to "Vijesti" questions.
Pursuant to Article 103 of that Law, it is added, consent to the conservation project is given by the Administration, at the request of the owner, that is, the holder of the cultural property, or the company that audits the technical documentation, that is, the authority responsible for issuing the building permit.
"Unfortunately, despite all our efforts to systematically overcome this situation, as evidenced by the documentation of this Administration, we inform you that to date, the project carried out in accordance with the conservation conditions issued by this authority, has not been submitted to the Administration for approval," he writes at the end.
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