Venetian Tower, Durres, Albania – EU4Culture – UNOPS

Venetian Tower, Durres, Albania – EU4Culture – UNOPS

Background

In 2019 Albania was struck by a large earthquake that damaged various Cultural Heritage Locations. The EU4Culture project is funded by the European Union (EU) and is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in close partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Albania. It focuses on renovation and revitalization of major cultural heritage sites damaged by the earthquake and represents one of the largest cultural heritage programmes funded by the European Union.
Loop was called to design the Multimedia Interactive Installations in 5 locations, to provide a new original up-to-date experience for these Cultural Heritage sites.

The project

The Venetian Tower is an integral part of the Byzantine fortress of Durrës, declared a first-category cultural monument. It was once regarded as one of the most formidable defense structures along the western coast of the Adriatic Sea. The present-day fortress traces its roots to the initial construction efforts of Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I (491–518). 

Loop has been invited to design the new kind of experience to be lived inside the Tower, using multimedia interactive tools. The general concept intended to put together an emotional and entertaining experience with the interpretation of the Cultural Heritage of Durres and Albania. 

In 2022-2023 the Venetian Tower was renovated and transformed into the first Albanian Heritage Interpretation Center and now offers visitors the chance to explore historical events and places through state-of-the-art digital and multimedia tools. These include VR headsets, audio guides, dome multimedia projections and other activities, which combine entertainment with a more in-depth look at the city’s ancient history.