The building of the old prison in Durrës, BIRN raises concerns about its collapse: Hundreds of citizens were kept isolated within the walls of this prison, residents are forgetting its former function

The building of the old prison in Durrës is falling apart day by day, while the residents are forgetting its former function. Immediately after the end of the war, hundreds of citizens were kept isolated within the walls of this prison, as interrogators or political prisoners.

Many of them met a painful end, but the dramatic past of this building during the communist years seems to be fading from memory.

Architect Artan Kacani told BIRN that the building was built in the Ottoman period and from the beginning it had the same function, as a prison.

During the 10-year period 1945-1954, more than 300 convicts or people under investigation were held in the prison building, which was officially known as Camp No. 7.

Kacani added that the one-story building measuring 24 meters by 16 meters can be turned into a museum of human sacrifices during that dark period, but also as part of history.

"It would be an alternative museum to the one expected to be built in Spaç, with the same purpose," Kacani said, adding that there are already some guides who have put the "old prison" of Durrës on the map of tourist visits.

"It is located almost in the center of Durrës and can be added to the map of historical monuments near it," added the architect from Durrës.

During the first years of the communist dictatorship, other, much smaller, private apartments were used in Durrës for the investigations and torture of those who were considered "enemies of the government" or "suspects" as such.

Anton Bonati told BIRN that his uncle, Monsignor Jul Bonati, leader of the Catholic community of Durrës, was initially held under investigation in a building on the main boulevard, which was not the only one in the city where torture was carried out.

"Finally, the uncle was transferred to the building of the psychiatric hospital, or madhouse as it was known in Durrës," Bonati said, adding that in 1951 the prominent cleric died tragically among the sick.

The alley near the former prison building is quiet today. 

Two old women tell us that the area has already been filled with new buildings, and almost no one remembers the walls of the prison, which are covered with brambles.

A few meters further rises the surrounding wall of the Martyrs' Mausoleum, where the remains of over 150 martyrs rest with all the respect they deserve. 

The complex designed by Eng. Kristo Sotiri was built in 1949, almost the same time when dozens and dozens of citizens "opponents of the regime" were suffering behind the prison bars.

"It would be appropriate to place at least one memorial near the walls of the old prison, with some data that remember the sacrifices of the convicts," Aleksandër Cangonja told BIRN.

The researcher Cangonja added that for this purpose, together with a group of social activists, they are preparing a request to the city hall.

"The complex of the mausoleum of the martyrs is a symbol of freedom and the memory of the old prison building would have the same value, that of the emblem of freedom," said Cangonja.

"The mufti of Durrës, Mustafa Varoshi, was only 50 years old when he died from torture and illness in the city prison, where for years he preached peace and kindness.

The writer and critic Arshi Pipa brought an important testimony years ago from Durrës prison, where he himself suffered for several years as a prisoner.

Prof. In his prison book, Pipa testifies to the meeting in Durrës cells of Monsignor Vincens Prenushi with Monsignor Jul Bonat, who had just been transferred from the Vlora investigator.

"Dom Bonati asked to kiss Monsignor Vincens Prenushi's hand, but he did not allow it," remembers Pipa. "He put his hand on his head for the blessing and fell back to bed," he added.

The two Catholic priests who lost their lives in communist prisons have already been declared "martyrs" by the Vatican.  "Perhaps, this is one more reason for the old prison of Durrës, where even the martyrs suffered and were sacrificed, to be remembered through a memorial," concluded architect Artan Kacani./BIRN