Techniques and preservations of a Venetian structure in Albania (Castle of Bashtova)

Bashtova Castle is situated on a plain approximately 2 km away from the village of Vilë-Bashtovë, 400 m north of the Shkumbin River and 3-4 km from its estuary. Bashtova Castle, located near the city of Kavajë, was originally constructed in the 15th century as a Venetian trading post and later expanded during the Ottoman period. It features a rectangular plan (approximately 60 m × 90 m) and is constructed using local sandstone and mortar, with defensive towers at each corner and mid-wall. The 2019 earthquake caused structural damage to the castle’s walls, highlighting the vulnerability of Albania’s cultural heritage in seismic zones. In response, Bashtova became a key focus of the EU4Culture program – funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS in cooperation with Albania’s Ministry of Culture. The castle’s post-earthquake restoration has prioritized the use of traditional materials and craftsmanship alongside modern, reversible techniques. These interventions aim to reinforce structural integrity while enhancing usability for educational programs, tourism, and community activities. A critical component of the project involved archaeological excavations to investigate the causes of cracks threatening the structure’s stability. The excavations reached the foundations and revealed a remarkably well-preserved substructure, offering new insights into its original design and challenging long-standing assumptions in Albanian scholarship. Today, Bashtova Castle stands as a testament to the region’s layered historical, cultural, and architectural identity. This study evaluates whether the implemented interventions have effectively reinterpreted and enhanced the patrimonial value of the site. A comprehensive technical and qualitative analysis was conducted – addressing structural pathologies, identifying weakened elements, and documenting minimal yet impactful interventions using context-sensitive materials and forms. This research employs evidentiary, analytical, and comparative methodologies to highlight both the permanence and evolution of the site. Bashtova Castle serves as a case study in the dynamic relationship between conservation and adaptation.