Çatitë tradicionale në Gjirokastër, Shqipëri. Teknika e ndërtimit dhe çështje të konservimit

This article is based on the author recent PhD research results on Traditional timber roofs in Gjirokastra, historic citadel located in the Drinos Valley, South Albania. In this paper, the author will focus on Albanian traditional timber roof structures and will propose a first typology classification of traditional timber roofs in Gjirokastra, describing the four identified main wooden frameworks, their structural members and carpentry joints. The research, making use of the inductive method, has been developed in operational phases that range from the analysis of the specific literature, to the consultation of archival documents, kept at the Instituti i Monumenteve të Kulturës "Gani Strazimiri "- IMK in Tirana, to the subsequent census and survey fieldwork activities of Gjirokastër's wooden roofs. In the conclusion, the author will deal with a series of conservation issues underlining how the evidence of many examples of these roof structures testify a peculiar building system that deserves to be recognized and preserved as outstanding example of the Albanian traditional building techniques. The preservation interventions should be characterized by simple approaches that have to consider the variety of the possible existing structural frameworks within Gjirokastër, to contain minimal interventions, needed to ensure safety and durability, and possibly to respect the original materials while preserving the constructive principle and the structural logic. Moreover, a mapping, monitoring and maintenance strategy and ad hoc conservation guidelines should be implemented to help and ensure a long-term performance and conservation of Gjirokastër timber roofs