Rescue intervention begins in Ura e Zogut, in 2022 it was announced on the list of assets at risk by "Europa Nostra"

Reinforcement works have started on Mati bridge, known as Ura e Zogu. The bridge is a cultural monument, where the works were inspected by the Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja. Minister Gonxhja says that the bridge is a national pride that connected the banks of the Mat since May 26, 1927. He writes on social networks that the Mat Bridge is one of the most special engineering works in the Balkans and is known as one of the first engineering works of these the size of the Albanian state. Designed by Swiss engineer Erwin Schnitter and built by the Trieste firm "Mazorana & Co Triest", under the direction of engineer Gjovalin Gjadri, the 480-meter long bridge was built with six arches (campata), each of 54 meters. Minister Blendi Gonxhja says on social networks that even though one of the parts was damaged during the Second World War, the bridge remains a proof of creative strength and elegance. "Today, this cultural monument, on the list of assets at risk from "Europa Nostra", has undergone, thanks to the financing from the Albanian government, a rescue intervention, as the first reinforcing phase, and the essential restoration follows, where experts are verifying the depth of the sinking of the foundation and the interweaving of the steel supporting structure with the bridge leg, especially due to the construction in the water environment and due to the yielding and tilting of the bridge leg. This project is expected to return to the public, for panoramic and pilgrimage purposes, another heritage object, accessible and passable by visitors and usable for the community of the area", said the minister. The Bird Bridge, a cultural monument in our country, in March 2022 was announced on the "7 most endangered locations in Europe" list. The cultural monument Bird Bridge is one of the most special for its architectural structure, the style of the arches give it museum value.