Archaeology conservation holiday in Albania
| country: | Albania |
| departures: | Dates are governed by the requirements of the project so please contact us for 2009 dates |
| price: | From £580 (15 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
This is cutting edge ancient history! Albania is a country of legends and rich history reflected in its almost untouched archaeological heritage. We've been working since 2002 in the now world famous Butrint National Park, and have seen the development of the new Albanian National Trust (ANT). With ANT, we are now moving inland to one of Europe's least visited areas to start in on a range of new restoration and archaeological research works at the stunning Gjirokastra castle and nearby Bektashi Monastery.
Who we're working with: The Albanian National Trust (ANT) is promoting the preservation of Cultural Heritage in Albania. ANT has begun by identifying and initiating restoration projects around the Butrint National Park and Drinos Valley combining this with sustainable economical development in the communities around these areas. Newly formed, the trust is keen to promote volunteering in Albania as a means of preserving the country's rich archaeological and natural heritage. This project is designed as an example of how this can work. Conditions permitting, we'll also be working alongside researchers from the University of Chicago on actual archaeological excavations at the monastery.
Where we're working: Gjirokastra is one of Albania's most beautiful and original towns. Otherwise known as the 'town of the thousand steps' or the 'stone town', Gjirokastra is of great interest for its native Albanian architecture, with houses huddled one above the other around the dramatic fortress. The castle of Gjirokastra is the second biggest in the Balkans. In the centre of the town, is the Bazaar Mosque. In the Old Bazaar quarter there are many shops situated in the narrow streets, and in the Mecite quarter there are old Turkish Baths dating to 17th century. Nearby is also the Tekke of Melan, a Bektashi Monastery at a former fortified site dating back to the 4th century, but now nearly lost beyond the remote villages of the region.
We'll work on two sites - the castle at Gjirokastra, and the Monastery at Melan. We'll move between these during the holiday. The work will focus on clearing overgrowing vegetation on and around both of these historic buildings. There is an ongoing archaeological excavation at Melan, and assuming it is active at that time, we'll be helping out with this too. Much of the work is defined by local need at the time, so we're prepared for flexibility in programming.
Where we'll be staying: In Gjirokastra we'll stay in a local guesthouse in the town - a chance to mix and mingle in this mediaeval relic. Accommodation is comfortable, but basic. At Melan we'll stay in the monastery itself - an amazing experience but exceedingly basic. Accommodation will be on mattresses in a shared room with very basic facilities. Finally, we'll visit Saranda where have a personalised tour of the legendary Butrint National Park form the people who know it best. In Saranda we'll either stay in a comfortable hotel, or as guests in the villa of the Albanian National Trust's director. Food will be a combination of eating out in local restaurants, or self-catering.
What else is there: We'll see so much just going to and fro between the places we'll be working, but we'll also take some time to visit places of interest on the way. Really special is the Blue Eye Spring: (Syri i Kalter) a deep spring in wooded limestone gorge in mountains on the way to Gjirokastra. As we'll also be in Saranda, we'll be visiting the Butrint National Park, and the town is well equipped with facilities: small shops, pool halls, bars, discos, restaurants, stadium, internet café, swimming pool and fitness centre at (posh) Butrinti Hotel. The town is developing rapidly with many incomplete buildings and can be lively at night. Conversely, when at Melan, there's nothing but glorious scenery and surroundings and eternal peaceful evenings ideal for strolling, relaxing, or getting to know new friends.
Who we're working with: The Albanian National Trust (ANT) is promoting the preservation of Cultural Heritage in Albania. ANT has begun by identifying and initiating restoration projects around the Butrint National Park and Drinos Valley combining this with sustainable economical development in the communities around these areas. Newly formed, the trust is keen to promote volunteering in Albania as a means of preserving the country's rich archaeological and natural heritage. This project is designed as an example of how this can work. Conditions permitting, we'll also be working alongside researchers from the University of Chicago on actual archaeological excavations at the monastery.
Where we're working: Gjirokastra is one of Albania's most beautiful and original towns. Otherwise known as the 'town of the thousand steps' or the 'stone town', Gjirokastra is of great interest for its native Albanian architecture, with houses huddled one above the other around the dramatic fortress. The castle of Gjirokastra is the second biggest in the Balkans. In the centre of the town, is the Bazaar Mosque. In the Old Bazaar quarter there are many shops situated in the narrow streets, and in the Mecite quarter there are old Turkish Baths dating to 17th century. Nearby is also the Tekke of Melan, a Bektashi Monastery at a former fortified site dating back to the 4th century, but now nearly lost beyond the remote villages of the region.
a day in a life of a volunteer
Gjirokastra is one of Albania's most beautiful and original towns. Otherwise known as the 'town of the thousand steps' or the 'stone town', Gjirokastra is of great interest for its native Albanian architecture, with houses huddled one above the other around the dramatic fortress. The castle of Gjirokastra is the second biggest in the Balkans. In the centre of the town, is the Bazaar Mosque. In the Old Bazaar quarter there are many shops situated in the narrow streets, and in the Mecite quarter there are old Turkish Baths dating to 17th century. Nearby is also the Tekke of Melan, a Bektashi Monastery at a former fortified site dating back to the 4th century, but now nearly lost beyond the remote villages of the region. We'll work on two sites - the castle at Gjirokastra, and the Monastery at Melan. We'll move between these during the holiday. The work will focus on clearing overgrowing vegetation on and around both of these historic buildings. There is an ongoing archaeological excavation at Melan, and assuming it is active at that time, we'll be helping out with this too. Much of the work is defined by local need at the time, so we're prepared for flexibility in programming.
Where we'll be staying: In Gjirokastra we'll stay in a local guesthouse in the town - a chance to mix and mingle in this mediaeval relic. Accommodation is comfortable, but basic. At Melan we'll stay in the monastery itself - an amazing experience but exceedingly basic. Accommodation will be on mattresses in a shared room with very basic facilities. Finally, we'll visit Saranda where have a personalised tour of the legendary Butrint National Park form the people who know it best. In Saranda we'll either stay in a comfortable hotel, or as guests in the villa of the Albanian National Trust's director. Food will be a combination of eating out in local restaurants, or self-catering.
What else is there: We'll see so much just going to and fro between the places we'll be working, but we'll also take some time to visit places of interest on the way. Really special is the Blue Eye Spring: (Syri i Kalter) a deep spring in wooded limestone gorge in mountains on the way to Gjirokastra. As we'll also be in Saranda, we'll be visiting the Butrint National Park, and the town is well equipped with facilities: small shops, pool halls, bars, discos, restaurants, stadium, internet café, swimming pool and fitness centre at (posh) Butrinti Hotel. The town is developing rapidly with many incomplete buildings and can be lively at night. Conversely, when at Melan, there's nothing but glorious scenery and surroundings and eternal peaceful evenings ideal for strolling, relaxing, or getting to know new friends.
travellers' tales
The most exciting part of my holiday was watching an Albanian play in the atmospheric surroundings of the amphitheatre at the Butrint National Park and returning in a packed (to the hilt) bus full of friendly, chattering Albanians. (more)
volunteer travel - what's it all about?
Are you are looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world. Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
how this holiday makes a difference
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For a country with such a rich historical heritage, there is limited capacity for any kind of work to preserve the buildings that give it its character. Our work represents early interventions by the Albanian National Trust to tackle these problems and importantly, the presence of 'outsiders' helps to show the way for local action. Attracting visitors to these valuable sites is equally important for Albania - a country desperately in need of income and sustainable tourism.
As the UK's biggest environmental volunteering charity, our aim is to make the maximum contribution to the communities and places we work in and we always work with a local partner organisation. These are unique holidays in a unique place. Working directly with the National Park management and local communities you'll have the chance to experience Albania in a way no other holiday can offer. Living, laughing and working as a group, you're not only changing the world, you'll change your life. |
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