Handling Work on Novoberda Castle

The marks were placed after the ban on the construction of the fortress, which is being carried out by the company “Koto” from Belgrade.

The decision to halt the works took over the Kosovo Institute for Protection of Monuments, as some parts of the castle's outer walls collapsed a few days ago.

The director of this institute, Ismet Hajrullahu, says the company's work from Belgrade, which won the international project announced by the U. NESTO has been repeatedly prosecuted.

“Unprofessional work, which has accompanied successive scandals, with the concrete of Kosovo archaeological findings which is a criminal offense, is punishable by the use of excavator that was the last time, affecting the walls with ecstasy, which is totally unprecedented somewhere, which in a cultural heritage asset, as it is. Novoberda's castle, touch the walls with the excavator. In various countries, even high - tone machines do not approach cultural heritage assets because of the vibrations that the high machine can give, then leave the touch of the walls with excavator”, says Hajrullahu.

The Novoberda Castle re-visitation and preservation project was launched in 2014 and aimed at preserving the fortress but also promoting tourism in this part.

After raising concerns by Kosovo institutions on jobs under way at Novoberda Fortress, U NESTO say any intervention has been made in close co-operation with Kosovo's responsible institutions.

“U n NESTO is carefully following the development of the situation and has already relaxed the required conservation measures to prevent further collapse of the structure. All interventions implemented so far have been made in close co-operation with responsible local institutions”, said U's response NCO for Radio Free Europe.

Even Kosovo institutions are divided over how works are being carried out in this fortress.

Much More Positive Thinking About His Work U n NESTO and the company “Coto” in the Novoberda Fortress, has the director of the Kosovo Archaeological Institute, Enver Rexha.

We didn't choose the company, chose it U n NESTO. We have a professional duty to treat them for the task they have to perform, and their duty, until 2018, has been good. However, the damage has been proved and should be considered as damage and must be fixed, moved away. I think U NESTO is going to fix this issue, regardless of our thoughts, whether we're pro or against or we have demands that this company or the other go away. I believe they'll take it honestly, as they're honestly working”, Rex points out.

Archaeologists, who have previously done archaeological research at Novoberda, say the project must continue despite the damage caused.

Archaeologist Haxhi Mehmetaj, now retired, wants the Novoberda Fortress case not politicised.

“Should not be used Artana, medieval city for politics, but must be judged soberly and see how it can be continued, how good reports with the U again can be created NESCO, in order to use its authority, so it uses firms. The same firms must bear the burden of responsibility and continue the project, but now, with additional supervision -- that is, with permanent supervision from local institutions and international institutions” -- Mehmetaj estimates.

The money for re-visiting the Novoberda Castle has been given to the European Union.