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From military base to "tourist destination", Porto Palermo opens competition for the transformation of the submarine tunnel

2026-09-15 08:37:51Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

From military base to "tourist destination", Porto Palermo opens

The National Territorial Planning Agency (AKPT) has opened an international competition for the transformation of the former military base and Submarine Tunnel in Porto Palermo into a new public complex dedicated to Cold War memory, culture and tourism.

The project envisages that the submarine tunnel will become the Cold War Museum, while the former military barracks will be reused for accommodation, gastronomy, cultural and educational activities.

"Once built to remain hidden. Tomorrow, an opportunity to enter, understand and remember," reads the call published by AKPT, which invites architects and multidisciplinary teams from Albania and abroad to present their concept-ideas.

The competition is organized by AKPT in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Defense and the Institute of Geography and Military Infrastructure. According to the competition documentation, AKPT is charged as the central purchasing body for the conduct of the procedure.

At the center of the intervention is the Submarine Tunnel. The document describes it not simply as the space where the museum will be located, but as its main object itself. “The tunnel is not simply a space in which to place a museum. The tunnel itself is the main artifact of the museum,” the terms of reference state.

The tunnel has a reported length of about 655 meters, a height of about 11 meters and a minimum width of about 11 meters. The water part varies from about 7 to 14 meters in width, while the depth is mainly 6-8 meters and in certain areas reaches about 11 meters.

The underground complex began construction in 1969, during the then-cooperation between Albania and China, and work continued for nearly two decades. It was originally designed for naval vessels and later adapted for use by the Albanian submarine fleet, including Project 613 submarines, known by NATO as the “Whiskey” class.

The tunnel was designed to meet the standards of the time for nuclear protection. Its two armored, hermetic gates were built to withstand air attacks and blasts of up to 10 kilotons. The southern entrance is open today, while the northern gate remains closed.

Former barracks, from military base to visitor center

The competition goes beyond the museum inside the tunnel. The former barracks, most of which are currently degraded, will take on new functions. The document foresees that the accommodation will be directly linked to the identity of the former base, the museum and the landscape.

The former barracks can also be used for reception, gastronomy, education, culture and other services necessary for the complex.

The terms of reference stipulate that visitors can stay in Porto Palermo for one night or for longer periods, linked to cultural, educational or research programs. But the document sets a clear limit to traditional tourist development.

"The goal is not to create a conventional coastal tourist destination," but a form of hospitality linked to the history, culture, landscape and character of Porto Palermo.

Likewise, the project should not aim to maximize beds. The terms require that the accommodation capacity be determined by the potential of existing buildings, the quality of stay and the real capacity of the territory.

The aim is that the museum, cultural activities and stay at the former base will create reasons to visit Porto Palermo even outside the summer season. The document also calls for links to the local economy through employment, small businesses, local gastronomy, crafts, guides and other services.

Part of Porto Palermo remains a military base

The transformation will not include the entire former complex. Part of Porto Palermo continues to be used by the Albanian Naval Forces for operational and training functions.

The small pier and the building next to it will remain in military use, while the helipad will continue to maintain the operational function of the Navy. Outside of periods when it is needed for operations or training, the helipad can also be used by the new complex, subject to security conditions.

The competition also takes place within a protected area. The Porto Palermo Bay Natural Park covers an area of ​​approximately 1,695 hectares, almost 88% of which is marine. The strictly protected area that overlaps the competition area is designated as a zone without physical interference.

The Porto Palermo Castle also remains outside the intervention. According to the competition conditions, it is not a design object and should be treated as part of the overall visitor experience and the relationship between the museum, the bay and the landscape.

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