| Duration: | 7 Hour(s) - 0 Minute(s) |
| Tour Category: | Full Day Tours |
Durrësi is the second-largest city in Albania, the biggest port and the hub of the railroad system. It is one of the most ancient cities in Albania. Known by name of Epidamnus, it was established in the year 627 B.C. by colons coming from Corinth and Corcyra. Later on, the name changed to Durrahium (according to mythology the nephew of Epidamnus).
During this period, the city flourished and became the main port of the Eastern Adriatic. Between the 1 ST and 3rd centuries, it played a major role as a trading centre along the ancient Egnatia road, which connected Rome with Byzantium.
The Amphitheatre of Durrës was built on the hillside inside the city walls in the early 2nd century AD. In its prime, it had the capacity to seat 15,000 to 20,000 spectators, but these days a few inhabited houses occupy the stage, a reminder of its recent rediscovery (in 1966) and excavation. The Byzantine chapel in the amphitheatre has several beautiful mosaics.
The Archaeological Museum on the waterfront is well laid out and has an impressive collection of artefacts from the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Highlights include engraved Roman funeral stelae (memorial stones) and some big carved stone sarcophagi. Back in the day when the city was called Epidamnos, Durrës was a centre for the worship of Venus, and the museum has a cabinet bursting with little busts of the love goddess.
Departure from Your hotel with an English-speaking guide.
