One of the most prized archaeological and historical treasures of Albania's southern coast is barbarically disappearing.
Historian Auron Tare has also reacted to this shameful barbarity. Publishing the images posted by a citizen of Himara, he says that this is a monument of extraordinary importance for the heritage of the area, but also for cultural tourism. But according to him, the images of the concreting speak for themselves.
The Spila Cave in Himara, otherwise known as the "Odysseus Cave" and declared a First Category Cultural Monument, is facing a serious act of destruction and concreting, in the service of a private business.
At its entrance, one of the natural roads is blocked by construction, while inert waste and sewage pipes have been dumped inside, making the visit impossible.
Claims for ownership of this ancient site have been raised by individuals from several local families, who have begun construction without permits, transforming the cave into a parking lot and a potentially commercial space.
One of the entrances has been covered with construction materials, while the other entrance is used as a car wash and parking lot, with plans to utilize the antique interior shelves.
The citizens of Himara have reacted with concern and have attempted to stop the trucks that were unloading sand and inert materials in the area, but their complaints to the Municipality and state institutions have remained unanswered. In fact, the sign marking the cave's status as a cultural monument has been covered by bushes.
"Odysseus' Cave" is a site of extraordinary historical importance, cited in studies on the Homeric era and mentioned as early evidence of life in this region.
There are rare artifacts and irreplaceable traces of the history of humanity in this part of the Balkans. The visit of the great actor Bekim Fehmiu, who immortalized the figure of Odysseus in cinema, turned this cave into a cultural symbol of the Albanian connection with mythology and ancient heritage.
Editorial
