REVEALING THE EXTERIOR TRANSFORMATION OF GJIROKASTRA DWELLING UNDER ITALIAN INFLUENCE .

Abstract

Gjirokastra has been considered as one of the most important historic cities in Albania, and its historical character has been appreciated over years. It has been declared as a Museum city in 1961 , and was included in the World Heritage List (UNESCO) , in 2005. The city of stone was dated in 1336 as part of Byzantine Empire. This study aims to analyze the identity of the city, the traditional dwellings in Gjirokaster, building techniques and material used in historic monuments. It analyses both the tangible component of the heritage, concerning the evolution of the building types, the traditional techniques, and materials that have been used through years. The Gjirokastra dwellings, especially those with developed elements, constitute a type with clearly distinguishable features in the typology of Albanian dwellings. The research tries to express the identity of the city, the historical background of Gjirokastra, its character, the unique architecture that has been developed during Italian period . It will be described the research approach, which is focused on the architecture of the world heritage sites of Historic Centres of Gjirokastra in Albania, presenting the need to preserve and protect this unique city. The purpose is to focus once again on the Italian-Albanian relationship and to highlight the influences of Italian art in this city . Furthermore, this paper will deal with a description and analysis of the main materials, structures used, based on analyses of case studies in some of the most important houses during 1900-1945 year period, when the city was occupied by Italians and consequently had major impacts v on architecture. Furthermore nowadays where these magnificent dwellings from an architectural point of view are being demolished, disappearing the traces of Italian architecture in Albania and consequently losing its historical identity for which it is valued. Due to uncontrolled constructions, various government policies or even natural factors , and people's lack of awareness for their maintenance , are some of the factors that we are facing with the destruction of the architectural elements, the cultural values of this place. For these reasons there is an immediate need to undertake restoration and maintenance measures.