Ohrid, 13 July 2024 (MIA) – Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov who visited the Bay of Bones near Gradishte at the Ohrid Lake on Saturday, announced its reconstruction and modernization of the irrigation system, restoring the terrace for the visitors, as well as intensive works as of next year to rehabilitate the platform of the site's "Mikjov Grad" and the roof structures of the huts. 

Ljutkov, who visited the site alongside the experts and the head of the Institute for Protection of Monuments of Culture and Museum - Ohrid, pointed out that the entire complex has been left to the test of time without any interventions for its maintenance, much less any investments in it. 

Since it is an extremely important site in Ohrid and one of the places that gets the most visitors and tourists, also achieving economic benefit, Ljutkov said that a large number of project activities will be launched immediately towards equipping and improving the working conditions in the complex, aimed at its further normal functioning.  

Acting Director of the Institute for Protection of Monuments of Culture and Museum - Ohrid, Goran Patchev, said sometimes it is not only the funds, but also the poor management of the facilities that are massively visited by tourists and the weak support from the higher authorities.

"The complex is maintained on an ongoing basis, but can only be repaired as much as the funds allow. The Bay of Bones is in the second place at the national level in terms of income, and investments should be made accordingly. We have made a feasibility study, so we should listen only to good suggestions and move forward with good practices," said Patchev.

In addition, Minister Ljutkov pointed out the work program of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism foresees culture to become a profitable activity. 

"That is why we combined tourism together with culture, because we believe that with the development of cultural tourism, culture can become a significant economic branch," he noted. 

Photo: MIA