The inclusion of the Drino Valley Monasteries in the “World Monuments Watch 2025” is considered a great opportunity for the promotion and restoration of their valuable heritage.

Along the Drino River Valley, in the Gjirokastër area, there are cultural monuments, including places of worship, which represent significant elements of cultural heritage.

The monasteries of Ravenë, Dhuvjan, Spile, and others hold historical and religious significance for the southern region and beyond.

“This is very important for the development and preservation of these monuments because they are located in remote mountainous areas. If they are not brought to the center of attention and made accessible to tourism, their lifespan will be extended. When they are ignored, it can lead to degradation, as has happened in recent years,” says Ardis Duka, an expert on Cultural Monuments.

Now, the monasteries in the Drino Valley are key points for the development of tourism. Their maintenance and restoration are essential to attracting visitors to the southern region.

“The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage is making every effort to bring these important cultural monuments into the spotlight for investment, restoration, or sustainable tourism development in the areas where they are located,” he adds.

Religious tourism is increasingly attracting both domestic and foreign tourists to the Gjirokastër region.