Saving a World Heritage Site - One Tower House at a Time

Feb. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Saving a World Heritage Site - One Tower House at a Time
Skenduli House, Gjirokastra, Albania

Boulder, Colorado, and Gjirokastra, Albania (February 15, 2012) - Adventures in Preservation (AiP) is looking for people to join the preservation movement. From May 13-26, 2012 and September 2-15, 2012, AiP has organized a volunteer preservation vacation to Skenduli House, one of Gjirokasta’s historic tower houses. The project will not only save the house but will also support heritage tourism and sustainable economic development in Gjirokastra: as part of an innovative approach to the problem, local youth have been chosen to receive job skills training as they work with AiP volunteers.

Beginning with the Skenduli house, AiP has embarked on a long-term partnership with Cultural Heritage without Borders and the Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Orgainization to keep the tower houses standing. AiP’s goal is to re-introduce the traditional techniques needed to maintain these architectural giants. Over the next three years, AiP will provide hands-on training to homeowners, students, professionals, aspiring tradespeople and volunteers with the ultimate aim of creating jobs and spurring economic growth.

The Skenduli house is a UNESCO Category 1 building, a significant contributor to Gjirokastra’s World Heritage status. Work will begin with repair to the stone roof system, followed by restoration of deteriorating plaster, decorative painting and intricate wood detailing, and revitalization of historic water storage and plumbing features.

This is a great experience for anyone interested in cultural and architectural heritage, Albanian and Ottoman art and architecture, or simply helping and learning more about another community. Lodging will be at the Kotoni Bed & Breakfast and meals will be primarily provided at Kujtim’s (a family-owned restaurant). AiP will provide field trip opportunities as well as hands-on work; volunteers will get to explore historic sites nearby as will as Butrint National Park, which holds some of the greatest classical ruins in the Mediterranean. The cost of this volunteer vacation is US $1,200 for one week, US $2,200 for two weeks. Learn more or register online at http://adventuresinpreservation.org/ws-albania-volunteer-...

About Adventures in Preservation
Adventures in Preservation is a non-profit organization that has supported community-based heritage preservation projects since 2002. Its volunteer vacations provide meaningful opportunities to travel, learn historic preservation skills, restore buildings, and renew communities. Learn how AiP harnesses the power of volunteers and the strengths of local communities to make a difference at www.adventuresinpresrevation.org.

Learn more about Cultural Heritage without Borders: http://www.chwb.org/

Learn more about the Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization: http://www.gjirokastra.org/gcdo.html

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Adventures in Preservation's one- and two-week hands-on building conservation workshops and volunteer vacations provide meaningful opportunities to travel, learn about historic preservation, restore buildings, and renew communities.