Prime Minister Rama visited Gjirokastër today, where he toured the Sports Palace as well as the newly renovated “Çerçiz Topulli” square, both of which have been completely transformed, giving them a totally new identity.

Accompanied by the Mayor of Gjirokastër, Flamur Golemi, and the Minister of Culture and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, they first stopped at the facilities of the Sports Palace.

“The most important thing of all is that, together with the kindergarten, we have begun the activation of sports classes. In addition to volleyball and football, today, as we speak, the national youth ping-pong championship is taking place. Young people from all over the country are participating. Meanwhile, there are also auxiliary and supportive spaces within the Sports Palace. The first class and the first space are dedicated to wrestling, and next, we have other groups,” said Mayor Golemi.

Once turned into a modern space, the Sports Palace has become a hub for all sports enthusiasts.

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Çerçizi Square, after its revitalization, has now taken its final form and is fully available not only to local citizens but also to the numerous tourists who visit Gjirokastër throughout the year. Transformed from a space once dominated by cars and buses, the square has now become a new attraction for the city.

“The project is ongoing, and there’s another section still under development. When you visit next time, we’ll show you how it connects this area with the cobblestone streets of ‘Shtrat Kronjt,’ which has completely revitalized the entire zone. We’ve started purchasing the houses that were practically in ruins, and they are now being restored, with each one mimicking the others in the best possible way. Here, we have a hotel, and over there is a cultural center for children, which always hosts activities and various courses. This square has become a real hub for activities, especially when schoolchildren have events, and then the activities extend to the neighborhoods below,” said Minister Kumbaro.

Additionally, beneath the square, an underground parking facility has been created, solving the long-standing parking issues for buses and cars.