From Rules to Reality
Cultural Property Protection in the Western Balkans
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 24233947 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Klodiana Gorica (0000-0002-9152-5990, University of Tirana), Ermira H Kalaj (University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi"), Sanja Kovačić (0000-0002-7623-241X, University of Novi Sad), Valentina Todoroska (National Institution Archaeological Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia), Kosjenka Dumančić (University of Zagreb) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 10 |
| Pages | 419 |
| Publication date | 2026-10-10 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Heritage (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2571-9408 • E-ISSN: 2571-9408 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/heritage9100419 |
| OpenAlex | W7221308960 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 27 |
This paper examines how the effectiveness of cultural property protection frameworks in five Western Balkan countries is assessed in the existing literature, with particular attention to cross-border challenges related to illicit trafficking, provenance verification, and enforcement practices. It contributes to the comparative literature by providing a structured synthesis of how the practical operation of legal provisions for cultural property protection is described across the region. The study employs a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines, ensuring a transparent and replicable process for identifying, screening, and evaluating relevant academic and policy sources published between 2000 and 2025. The review covers Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, integrating legal and institutional perspectives. The findings indicate that, although the countries examined have made significant progress in aligning their legal frameworks with EU and international standards, substantial implementation challenges persist. These include limited institutional coordination, insufficient traceability mechanisms, and uneven enforcement capacity across jurisdictions. The role of intermediaries and the complexity of cross-border movements further complicate effective regulation. Overall, the study demonstrates that the effectiveness of cultural property protection depends not only on formal legal alignment but also on the institutional capacity to implement and enforce existing rules. By identifying shared challenges and differences across national contexts, the paper contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural heritage protection and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.
Albania · Bosnia and Herzegovina · cultural heritage preservation · cultural property protection · enforcement capacity · illicit trafficking of cultural goods · institutional coordination · legal framework · Montenegro · North Macedonia · provenance verification · regional cooperation · Serbia · Western Balkans · Archaeological Research and Protection · Conflict of Laws and Jurisdiction · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation
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| Highly cited | No |
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