Safeguarding a Living Sanctuary in the Hills of Albania

For generations, the local Orthodox Christian community of Dhuvjan and the surrounding villages has tended to the monastery and kept it alive. Families return here for feast days, rituals, and moments of reflection, maintaining an unbroken thread of memory and belonging. Scholars and visitors have long regarded the site as a true testament to Albanian religious heritage, artistic tradition, and rural architectural ingenuity. Through continued use, the monastery remains not only a historic monument but a living sanctuary. It embodies a continuity of practice and identity that stretches far beyond its walls.

The monastery was lately in a critical state, with structural collapses, severe moisture damage, and accelerating climate-related deterioration putting the entire ensemble at imminent risk.

Parts of the konaks (historic living quarters for monks), auxiliary facilities, and the stone slate roof of the entrance gate had fully and partially collapsed. The remaining walls, wooden ties, stone staircases, arcade vaults, and the gate itself were critically compromised and at risk of imminent collapse.

A local response

To save the monastery, Cultural Heritage without Borders Albania (CHwB Albania) led a 10-week emergency intervention with support from Cultural Emergency Response (CER) and Iron Mountain’s Living Legacy Initiative.

The local CHwB team carried out a detailed damage assessment, installed scaffolding, cleared invasive vegetation, and stabilised around 90 m³ of stonework using traditional Albanian techniques. Original stone materials were salvaged and reused wherever possible to preserve the authenticity of the site. Rooted in local ownership and local craftspeople, the response ensured that every action was respectful to the site’s history and to the people who continue to rely on it.

Restoring access & safety

Despite its rapidly deteriorating structure, the monastery was still used by neighboring communities, making the stabilisation of access and safety an immediate priority.

The improvements were visible and meaningful.

Overgrown vegetation was removed, paths were cleared, and dangerous structural elements were stabilized. Areas that had been inaccessible for years could once again be approached without risk, or fear. The community could return to its sanctuary with confidence, reconnecting physically and spiritually with a place that holds deep roots.

Loose stones and fragile architectural fragments were carefully gathered and secured, preserving the monastery’s historical character and preventing further loss. Through detailed documentation and thoughtful consolidation, the team created a strong foundation for future conservation, ensuring that the next steps can build on knowledge that is accurate, reliable, and informed by a deep understanding of the place.

This stabilisation also brought the community closer to the monastery. Residents spoke of renewed pride in the site and a deeper sense of responsibility toward its care. The intervention showed that safeguarding heritage is not only a technical effort but a shared act that strengthens the bond between people and place, keeping the monastery at the heart of community life.

Conclusion

Thanks to the intervention, the most urgent threats to the monastery have been reduced. Stabilised walls, strengthened structures, and the removal of invasive vegetation have created a safer environment for the community and a solid foundation for future restoration. Traditional techniques used throughout the process have reinforced the building’s historic fabric and ensured its resilience.

The Monastery of Saint Ioulita and Kyriakos now stands stronger and safer, ready to continue its role as a living sanctuary. Its preservation protects not only a remarkable cultural monument but also the community that cherishes it. Through the combined efforts of CHwB Albania, local craftspeople, and community members, the monastery’s story, and the cultural practices that depend on it, will endure.