The Old Town of Kukes (flooded)

The Old City of Kukës was the historic settlement of Kukës in northeastern Albania, at the confluence of the Black and White Drin rivers. It was flooded during the creation of Lake Fierza in the 1970s, becoming one of the best-known examples in Albania of a submerged city and a site of historical and cultural significance.

History

The decision to build the Fierza hydroelectric power plant and its reservoir was made in 1962, while in parallel the construction of New Kukës began. The final flooding of the old city occurred in 1978, when the inhabitants were relocated to the new city built on higher ground.

What remains today?

Most of the city is still under the waters of Lake Fierza. During periods of drought or when the lake level drops significantly, foundations of houses, parts of roads, public buildings and other structures emerge, creating a unique landscape that attracts visitors, photographers and researchers.

Cultural significance

For former residents, the flooded city represents a strong collective memory of life before the displacement. Certain monuments and objects were transferred to New Kukës to preserve historical continuity, while the underwater ruins remain a symbol of the great economic and social transformation brought about by the construction of the Drini hydroelectric complex.

Visiting Experience

The site is not an ordinary archaeological park, as most of it remains underwater. The best views are usually seen from areas near the new Kukës bridge and the shores of Lake Fierza, especially when the water level is low. The visibility of the ruins varies from year to year depending on rainfall and reservoir management.