Customs Terminal / Current Ministry of Defense
Buildings/The building is a classic example of urban architecture, dating from the early 20th century-specifically, it was built in 1934. It is located right next to Lake Ohrid and the mouth of the Drim River. From 1945 to 1952, it served as a military command for the Yugoslav National Army (JNA). In 1953, the tourist agency “Turist” took over the building, turning it into the first hotel in Struga, called Hotel “Galeb”. After 1965, the municipality took over the building, and it has since functioned as a municipal building housing the municipal president, civil defense, and other sectors.
Currently, the building is used by the Ministry of Defense-Struga branch. Its current structure is ground floor plus two upper floors, with a high attic space featuring circular openings visible on the façade, corresponding to the height achieved after the last renovations. The building has retained its original façade appearance and the original interior from 1953, when the second floor was added. Withstanding the test of time, this building is a true testament to the architectural and construction values of the period in which it was built.
Construction year 1934
Investor / Owner Italian occupying army
City / Municipality Struga
/ Struga
Address Partizanska St. b.b.
Floors GF+1 (in 1953, another floor and an attic were added; today the building has GF+2+A)
Original typology
Current purpose
Protection status protected
- Building chronology (project, construction phases)In 1934, the building with ground floor and upper floor (GF+1) was constructed. In 1953, it was repurposed as a hotel (the first in Struga), and at that time, an additional floor and an attic were added. The ground-floor sections of the building facing the lake were demolished, and in front of the central part, a ground-floor space was built on the southern side, made of stone and glazed with large wooden window openings, which housed the restaurant area. During that period, interventions were also made on the façades of the building, for which there is no written documentation.Number of floorsGF+1 (in 1953, another floor and an attic were added; today the building has GF+2+A)StructureThe building is constructed with solid brick walls, wooden inter-floor structures, and a wooden multi-pitched roof covered with roofing tiles.RoofМulti-pitched roof with wooden substructure covered with roofing tiles.FaçadeThe building has symmetrical façades, free of decorative elements. The exterior is finished in plaster.CarpentryThe exterior and interior carpentry of the building are made of wood. The windows are arranged rhythmically, and in the attic area, circular windows appear. On the northern façade, there is vertical lighting with metal frames, characteristic of a circulation core.Interior / Communal spacesFloors and staircase made of terrazzo with a plastically shaped railing of solid plastered and painted brick, plastered white walls and ceilings.ContextBuilt by the occupying Italian army for their needs, i.e., for the then border with Bulgaria. It is located right next to Lake Ohrid and the mouth of the Drim River. On the other side, there are other public buildings: the Struga Municipality building (previously an elementary school) from the same period, and the House of Culture from the post-war period.
- RoofМulti-pitched roof with wooden substructure covered with roofing tiles.FaçadeThe building has symmetrical façades, today plastered in white. It features shallow decorative relief with vertical and horizontal lines. The building has retained its original façade appearance from 1953, when the second floor was added.CarpentryThe exterior and interior carpentry is wooden and dates from the time when the building was repurposed for hospitality. There are several new PVC windows and a metal door. The newly built ground-floor space on the southern side is glazed with large openings made of PVC.Interior / Communal spacesFloors and staircase made of terrazzo with a plastically shaped railing of solid plastered and painted brick, and plastered white walls and ceilings.Exterior conditionsatisfactoryInterior conditionpoorExterior authenticitysatisfactoryInterior authenticitysatisfactoryModificationsIn 1934, the building was constructed and used by the Italian army. From 1945 to 1952, it served the Yugoslav National Army (JNA). Since 1965, it has functioned as a municipal building, and today it is used by the Ministry of Defense. The exterior and interior carpentry is wooden and dates from the time when the building was repurposed for hospitality use.
- With the significant expansion of capital and the overdevelopment of other areas of the city, this area has also become attractive for construction and complete urbanization with high-rise residential buildings. However, given its protected status, this risk should be reduced. Due to a permanent lack of financial resources, the architectural building is irregularly maintained by the user and has been left to the ravages of time.
- protected Decision for temporary protection Ref. no. 18-187 from 23.03.2011 / Decision for annulment of the Decision for temporary protection Ref. no. 61-502/2015 from 11.05.2016 / Significant cultural heritage Ref. no. 18-187 from 14.05.2012
- historical societal/social emotional architectural and aesthetic Its historical value lies in its construction by the Italian army. Socially, the building has changed its function several times over the years and remains in the memory of the citizens. Its architectural and aesthetic value is exceptional due to its proportions, design, and the context in which it is located.
- Recommendation to the owners: The value of the building should be respected, with greater care and ongoing maintenance after its complete reconstruction. Its ambient values should be better presented, especially due to its location in the city. Additionally, landscaping of the surrounding area is lacking and should be properly carried out.
- Elaborate for the valorization of the architectural object Ministry of Defense - Branch Office Struga in Struga, prepared by the NI Institute and Museum - Ohrid.