HIMARA, Albania — Vuno, one of the historic villages along the Himara coast and a distinctive part of Albania’s cultural heritage, has officially been declared a Historic Centre by a decision of the Council of Ministers.
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The Mayor of Himara, Vangjel Tavo, described the decision in comments to RTSH as an important step toward preserving and promoting Vuno’s cultural heritage.
According to Tavo, Vuno had already benefited from protective measures, but the latest Council of Ministers decision formally establishes it as a Historic Centre and introduces clearer obligations and restrictions aimed at protecting the village’s historic character.
New Protection for Vuno’s Historic Character
Tavo said the decision goes beyond the protection of a single village and could provide a basis for identifying and protecting other historic centres across the territory of Himara.
He emphasized that Vuno has been preserved over the years through efforts by local authorities and residents, while the new status increases the responsibility of public institutions to protect its authentic architectural character.
“Vuno has been preserved with great care by the Municipality of Himara, but the latest decision obliges us even more to continue in this direction and not affect the historical values of this village,” Tavo told RTSH.
He added that interventions involving historic residences will continue to require approval from the relevant cultural-heritage authorities.
“Every intervention that will be carried out on historic residences will require, as always, the approval and decision-making of the institutions responsible for cultural monuments,” Tavo said, stressing that this requirement is intended to safeguard the historic identity of the area.
A Historic Village on the Himara Coast
Vuno is known for its traditional stone houses, historic churches, narrow streets and architectural character, forming part of the distinctive cultural landscape of the southern Albanian coast.
The new designation comes at a time when the Himara coastline continues to attract growing numbers of visitors and investment, increasing the importance of balancing tourism development with the preservation of historic settlements.
According to Tavo, the new status could also increase interest among tourists and visitors, helping Vuno gain greater recognition as a cultural destination in Albania.
The decision therefore places Vuno's historic architecture and urban character under a clearer framework of protection while also highlighting the village's potential as part of Albania's growing cultural-tourism offering.
For a village situated along one of the country's most visited coastal areas, the challenge will be maintaining its historic identity while accommodating the pressures and opportunities brought by tourism development.