As part of the war against cult objects, the Catholic church of Saint Mary in Vau Deja, built in the 13th century, was blown up with dynamite. For the area’s residents, this church had been a sacred place. Above the church gate was a sign that read: ” Cultural monument. It is protected by the state”. Immediately after the church demolition, the former director of the Institute of Cultural Monuments, Gani Strazimiri, reacted, who notified the prosecutor’s office, so those who took such a step could be brought to justice. With a telegram deemed “urgent” on 11.06.1969, Gani Strazimiri notified the General Prosecutor’s Office in Tirana: “We are informed that the 13th century church of Vau Deja, which is protected by law by the state, has been blown up with mines. We ask that legal action be taken .” But the prosecutor’s office, on 15.08.1969, after a cursory investigation, closed the case, not holding anyone to legal responsibility. (In the photo: Saint Mary’s Church in Vau Deja.)
Text: Ferdinand Dervishi, Gani Strazimiri, the architect who in 1969 dared to sue the demolition of a Catholic church , “Panorama”, March 29, 2010, pages 18-19.
Photo: © Xhoxhi L., personal archive
Graphic processing: AHCF
