Excavation works carried out without the necessary approvals from cultural heritage institutions have led to the discovery of archaeological structures on Agim Ramadani Street in Prishtina. The digging, which aimed to install electricity cables, was done without the consent of heritage bodies, despite the area being legally protected. The Cultural Heritage Inspectorate halted the works on Monday, although digging had continued even during the weekend. The Archaeological Institute of Kosovo is currently preparing a report on the case.
However, despite the enforcement of a work stoppage on Agim Ramadani, the Municipality of Prishtina has not respected a similar decision concerning Qamil Hoxha Street. There, works have continued despite the area also falling within the protected Historic Center of Prishtina and being close to the listed monument “Residential House – Ismail Sahatçiu.” The Inspectorate has referred the municipality’s disregard of the ban to the Basic Prosecution in Prishtina.
The unauthorized works on Agim Ramadani led to the exposure of archaeological structures near the Çarshia Mosque (also known as the Stone Mosque), which has been under permanent protection since 2023. The entire Historic Center has had provisional protection status since 2020. Although KEDS was granted permission for the cable-laying project by the Municipality of Prishtina in December 2023, no approval was sought from cultural heritage authorities, which is mandatory under Kosovo’s Law on Cultural Heritage.
According to the law, written approval is required for any intervention within protected zones. In this case, the contractor failed to obtain such permission and did not report the discovery of archaeological structures in time, another breach of the law. The Cultural Heritage Inspectorate instructed the removal of machinery from the site to prevent further damage, and demanded a halt to works until the Archaeological Institute conducts a full evaluation. The contractor, however, refused to sign the official report.
The Municipality’s disregard is not limited to Agim Ramadani. Works on Qamil Hoxha Street have continued despite the Inspectorate issuing a stop-work order. Moreover, the Municipality submitted a project for approval only after continuing construction, and the Director of Capital Investments, Sokol Havolli, has refused to acknowledge the Inspectorate’s order or respond to media inquiries.
Past incidents show a repeated pattern of violations. In March, April, and again in late April 2024, the Municipality attempted to carry out works in George Bush Square — another protected zone — without approval. On April 29, the Inspectorate, backed by Kosovo Police, intervened after the Mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, and his cabinet allegedly obstructed enforcement actions.
The current contract involving works on Agim Ramadani, Qamil Hoxha, and Rexhep Luci streets is worth over €1.3 million. Other projects, including the €6.5 million Urban Island project and an €18.4 million main square development, have also faced bans due to violation of heritage protections. Despite partial attempts to request permits after being stopped, some projects were found to infringe on protected zones and were thus refused.
The Inspectorate’s report has been forwarded to the Prosecution, and officials from both the Inspectorate and the Regional Center for Cultural Heritage have given statements to the police. A full report from the Archaeological Institute is expected to provide further clarification on the recent discoveries and legal breaches.
