TIRANA, Oct 25 /ATA/ The picturesque village of Lin has been declared an “Urban Architectural Ensemble” and has now been inscribed on the Albanian area of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the news today, sharing images from Lin village, which is located on the shores of Lake Ohrid, about 20 kilometers from the city of Pogradec.

“The beautiful village of Lin has just been declared an ‘Urban Architectural Ensemble,’ becoming part of the Albanian area of UNESCO’s World Heritage,” said Rama.

Lin remains one of Albania’s most picturesque destinations, reflecting the close connection between people, tradition, and nature along the shores of Europe’s oldest lake.

Following recent archaeological discoveries, Lin is also considered the earliest pile-dwelling settlement ever discovered in Europe, and as such, it is attracting an increasing number of foreign tourists.

One of Lin’s most precious treasures is the ruins of the early Christian basilica, discovered on the hilltop overlooking the village.

The designation of Lin as part of the World Heritage represents another international recognition of the historical, architectural, and natural values of the Pogradec area.

This new status highlights the unique natural landscape that blends cultural and natural heritage, traditional urban planning with cobblestone streets and community coexistence, as well as vernacular architecture that uses local techniques and materials adapted to the climate and local resources.

The village preserves its traditional urban structure with characteristic cobblestone alleys, while its architecture reflects local building techniques and materials, skillfully adapted to the climate and local resources.

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