Conservation and Restoration Works on the “Ministry of Defence” Building — Struga
The building is a classic example of 20th-century urban architecture, constructed in 1934 for the needs of the Italian occupying forces, originally functioning as a customs terminal. After 1965, the building was taken over by the municipality, housing the municipal president, civil defence, and other municipal departments. It is currently used by the Ministry of Defence — RE Struga, the Civil Protection Centre, the Municipality, and other sectors.
The National Institution Zavod and Museum — Ohrid prepared the Basic Project for the reconstruction of the facade and roof of this building, for which the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Heritage issued a conservation permit in 2022.
The works are being carried out in several phases:
2022/2023 — roof reconstruction and replacement of the roof covering
2024/2026 — carpentry works, replacement of exterior joinery, and construction of a new facade
All interventions are in accordance with the project programme and aim to preserve this individually protected cultural heritage site, declared by a Protection Decision with an appropriate protection regime.
The conservation and restoration works are in their final phase and will be fully completed upon the completion of conservation interventions on the entrance section.
For the realisation of the project, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has approved a total of 9,114,000 MKD (from 2022 to date). Approximately 7,624,539 MKD has been spent so far, with total expenditure upon full completion expected to reach around 8,000,000 MKD.
Through these conservation and restoration activities, the further deterioration of yet another significant building is being prevented — a building that, with its characteristic location directly on the lakeshore at the outlet of the Black Drim River from Lake Ohrid, enriches the ambient landscape of the city of Struga.
