Despite the southern walls of Ulcinj’s Old Town collapsing over four years ago, it remains unclear when the reconstruction of this ancient fortress will begin.

The Municipality of Ulcinj’s Secretariat for Culture emphasized the importance of conducting necessary geological and archaeological research to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the Cultural Heritage Protection Administration stated that the conservation project, required for approval, has not yet been submitted.

The Ministry of Finance previously allocated €30,000 to the Municipality of Ulcinj for the development of a conservation project. However, local authorities reported that work could not begin as remains of ancient tombs and possibly a necropolis were discovered at the site, further complicating the process.

Merita Subašić Šabanović, acting Secretary for Culture, confirmed that the project is still in its initial phase. Before drafting the conservation plan, geological and archaeological studies must be completed. Only after these steps can the restoration measures proceed.

The southern walls of the Old Town collapsed in January 2021 due to heavy rainfall and accumulated debris. The erosion affected not only the fortress walls but also archaeological layers dating back to the 4th century BCE through the end of Ottoman rule. Excavations revealed burial structures, indicating the presence of a necropolis in the area.

The Cultural Heritage Protection Administration stated that their expert team assessed the damage in January 2021, immediately after the collapse. They alerted relevant institutions and called for urgent action. By May 2021, they issued conservation guidelines for the development of an urban-technical plan for the restoration of the southern wall section.

Despite repeated appeals and documentation provided to the Municipality of Ulcinj, the required conservation project has yet to be submitted for approval. Officials stress the urgent need for a systematic approach to safeguard the Old Town’s historic walls, but bureaucratic delays continue to stall the process.

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