The Forum for the Protection of Cultural Heritage made public some photos that prove that the two columns of the facade of the monumental fountain of the Nymph of Apollonia have been damaged. The event was later confirmed by the Apollonia National Archaeological Park.
"Following the public denunciation of the Forum, the leaders of the Apollonia Archaeological Park acknowledged the vandalism that took place on April 13 at the hands of two colonial fountain columns of Apollonia, a unique monument in the world," the Forum for the Protection of Cultural Heritage wrote. who among other things writes:
?What is the responsibility of the company that protects the Museum and the Archaeological Park for this vandalism and what measures have been taken by the directorate and the Ministry of Culture against how much? [...] What is the responsibility of the park directorate and the Ministry of Culture for the fact that the monument was unencumbered, without the table of the cultural monument, without the explanatory table of the monument? ?
Apollonia Archaeological Park on the other hand says:
"Two columns of the façade of the monumental fountain of Apollonia are, unfortunately, damaged two months ago, during the period of isolation due to Covid 19. The columns were found broken on April 13.
On the same day, after keeping the minutes from the Office of Administration and Coordination of Archaeological Parks Apoloni and Bylis, the Ministry of Culture was notified and a report was made to the Police. The experts of the latter came to the site the same day and ascertained the damage in the field. The case is already being handled by the competent authorities. "
Also, the Apollonia Archaeological Park added that ?based on consultations with team restorers and archaeologists conducting archeological excavations in Apollonia, a restoration project has been drafted by the Park Administration and Coordination Office, which has been submitted to the Council for approval. Scientific Institute of Monuments. ?
The ancient city, not far from Fier, is one of the earliest archeological traces of the ancient Illyrian culture. As a genuine city, Apocalypse was founded in the early seventh century BC by Greek colonizers, while archeological traces were discovered in the early 19th century.
