History of the Amphitheatre of Durrës

The Amphitheatre of Durrës was built in the city of Durrës in the early 2nd century AD. It was likely used for performances for at least the next two centuries. Durrës itself was founded around 627 BC and today is the main port of Albania.

The Roman amphitheatre is built into the slope of a hill and there are staircases and galleries at different levels inside the amphitheatre. Its main function was hosting gladiator combat and it could have hosted between 10,000 and 20,000 spectators.

The earthquake of 345/346 AD had probably left the amphitheatre in poor condition and in the second half of the 4th century an early Christian chapel was built on the site of the amphitheatre. The chapel was ornamented with frescoes and mosaics were added in the 6th century.

A medieval chapel was constructed in the 13th century. Then in the 16th century, the amphitheatre was covered over in conjunction with the construction of a nearby wall.

In the 1960s, Vangjel Toci excavated approximately one third of the site. Lida Miraj excavated much that remained in the 1980s. Limited conservation efforts to protect the excavated site meant that the amphitheatre steadily deteriorated.

While restoration work to save the monument began in 2004, undertaken by the University of Parma, it was shortlisted by Europa Nostra in 2013 as one of the most endangered cultural heritage sites in Europe.

Amphitheatre of Durrës today

The Amphitheatre of Durrës is a unique monument in Albania. It is located in the centre of Durrës and is close to other archaeological sites. It is also situated near the Archaeological Museum. The amphitheatre is surrounded by the modern city and modern housing has actually been built upon part of the arena.

Getting to the Amphitheatre of Durrës

The amphitheatre of Durrës is in the centre of the city, a five minute walk along Rruga Anastas Durrsaku from the Venetian Tower of Durrës. Entry is inexpensive and there are English speaking guides at the monument.

History of Apollonia

Whilst the site of Apollonia was once inhabited by Illyrian tribes, it was in approximately 588 BC that Greek colonists from Corfu and Corinth led by Gylax founded the city on the right bank of the Aous (Vjosë) River.

The Romans ruled Apollonia from around 229BC and added to its splendour. The city flourished in the 4th century BC as an important economic and trade centre. It was also renowned for its school of philosophy, acquiring fame as a cultural centre and attracting many brilliant students from different parts of the empire, including Augustus, the first Roman emperor.

Though its riverside location was vital in making Apollonia the trade and economic hub it eventually became, it also played a role in its downfall. An earthquake in 234AD altered the riverbed of the Aous, silting up Apollonia’s harbour and reducing the city’s importance significantly, which thus contributed to its decline.

Apollonia Today

Today, Apollonia’s 137 hectares is encircled by a 4 km long wall, housing a series of ruins including a triumphal arch, a library, a 2nd century Odeon, several temples – including the striking ruins of the temple of Agonothetes – and a city council building with a surviving facade.

There is a Museum of Archaeology in the old Monastery of Saint Mary which houses artefacts from the site and both the museum. The site contains both French and English translations.

Getting to Apollonia

From the city of Fier, the site is a half an hour drive via the E853 and SH4 roads. From the centre of Pojan, it’s a 3 minute drive or 20 minute walk via the SH66 road.

Berat history

Founded in antiquity, an early Macedonian city was built here in the 3rd or 4th centuries BC named Antipatreia after the Macedonian general Antipater. Later forming part of the Roman Empire and subsequently the Byzantine Empire, it was at various times ruled by Bulgarians, Angevins, Serbs and Ottomans, who ruled Berat from the 15th century until the breakup of the Ottoman Empire.

Berat today

Today, visitors to Berat can admire a number of sights. One of the most striking is the multitude of picturesque houses that cover the slopes below the castle – leading to Berat’s reputation as the ‘town of a thousand windows’.

Among the most popular and obvious sites is Berat castle itself. Though it has been occupied since Roman times, the current structure dates back to the 13th century AD and beyond. Almost a mini-town in itself, the citadel (known as the Kala) offers superb views of the area.

Inside, you will find the remains of churches, mosques – including the ruins of the Xhamia e Kuqe / Red Mosque – and the Onufri Museum (located in the inner part of Saint Mary Church), housing works by the famous medieval artist. Be warned, the path up to Berat castle is steep.

Also worth visiting in Berat is the Ethnographic Museum which contains displays relating to the history and life of the local area.

Getting to Berat

A city along the Osum River in central Albania, Berat is found by car along the SH74 and is a 2 hour drive from Tirana (Albania’s capital) along the A3, where there is an international airport.

Butrint history

Originally part of an area called Epirus, Butrint has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Venetians. As a result, Butrint offers a wealth of incredible archaeological structures, including a well preserved Greek theatre, fortifications which have been changed by each civilisation which occupied it, Roman public baths inside which lies a paleo-Christian baptistery and a 9th century basilica.

One of Butrint’s earliest sites is its sanctuary, which dates back to the 4th century and sits on its hill or ‘acropolis’. The sanctuary was named after the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius, and was a centre of healing. Butrint was abandoned during the Ottoman era when marshes started to emerge around it.

Butrint today

However, many of Butrint’s historical treasures remain intact and today the site attracts tourists from around the globe. The great thing about Butrint is the ability to trace the development of a succession of eras through its sites and structures, making it a microcosm of history.

With so much to see, including an onsite museum exploring the site’s history, a visit to Butrint National Park usually lasts around 3 hours.

Getting to Butrint

Approximately 20 kilometres from the modern city of Saranda, Butrint is easily reached by bus. From the port of Saranda, the bus stop is found on foot: on exiting the port turn right and walk for about 220 metres until you see a roundabout with a huge tree in the middle. There is roughly one departure per hour and the bus takes about 30 – 40 minutes and costs 100 lek.

Horreum history

Although the Latin term is often used to refer to granaries, Roman horrea were used to store many other types of consumables; the giant Horrea Galbae in Rome were used not only to store grain but also olive oil, wine, foodstuffs, clothing and even marble.

These unique underground tunnels would once have formed part of the city of Narbo Martius, it is believed as the storage area for the local market in what was the capital of the Narbonne region during Roman times. The Narbonne region (Gallia Narbonensis) was known as the gateway to Celtic world.

Horreum today

The Horreum in Narbonne consists of several galleries, and cellars of various sizes. This complex is at some five meters below street level, and has recently been made more accessible with an entrance hall that can be used for audiovisual presentations. Today the site boasts a sound and light show which is designed to replicate the atmosphere of such an ancient marketplace.

The walls, very well preserved, are evidence of the general architectural expertise and know-how of the ancient Romans. It is the only ancient monument that still remains at Narbonne.

Although the site is not very big, the system of tunnels is a wonder of Roman engineering and well worth a visit. There is a good introductory display in the foyer of the museum as well as a gift shop area.

Make sure to buy the local travel pass if you’d like to visit other historical sites in the area, such as the Narbonne Archaeological Museum.

Getting to Horreum

The address of the site is Hooreum Romain, 7 rue Rouget de l’Isle, 11100 Narbonne. The town lies on the south east coast of France, roughly in between the cities of Montpellier and Toulouse. A train journey from either of these locations take roughly an hour and a half. If travelling via car, the A9  links Narbonne to Paris (800km) and Montpellier (100km) and the A61 takes you from Toulouse (150km). There is parking on site.

History of Krujë Castle

The first construction on the site of Krujë Castle likely dates to the early Middle Ages. By the Albanian Revolt of 1432-1436, it was in the control of the Ottoman Empire.

During this revolt, which was motivated by the replacement of local nobilities with Ottoman landowners and the implementation of Ottoman governance and taxation, Andrea Thopia led an unsuccessful siege of the castle.

Within the decade, Krujë Castle became the centre of Skanderbeg’s rebellion against the Ottomans. Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbej, known as Skanderbeg, was educated as a hostage in the Ottoman court. He was eventually appointed as a governor of the Sanjak of Dibra, part of which is in present-day Albania.

During the Battle of Niš (1443), where Christian crusaders defeated three Ottoman armies in Serbia, Skanderbeg deserted the Ottomans with 300 loyal Albanians. He captured Krujë Castle and embarked on a 25-year long rebellion against Ottoman rule.

Skanderbeg seems to have captured the castle using a forged letter from the sultan. Under the command of Skanderbeg, Krujë Castle withstood three sizable sieges from Ottoman forces. In 1450, 1466 and 1467 Ottomans failed to take control.

For his resistance, Skanderbeg has been celebrated as a national hero in Albania. The castle houses the Skanderbeg Museum, one of the most visited museums in Albania. The castle itself is depicted on the reverse of the 5000 lekë banknote.

The minaret and lower walls of the Sultan Mehmed Fatih mosque of Krujë remain on the site of the castle and were built some time before 1481. Krujë Castle also contains the remains of the Dollma Tekke, a Bektashi place of worship which was diminished during the Communist dictatorship.

Krujë Castle today

Krujë Castle is one of the most visited historical sites in Albania. There are multiple museums located at the site of Krujë Castle, including the Skanderbeg Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. These collect materials related to Albanian history in the 15th century and objects related to the history of Albanian daily life.

Getting to Krujë Castle

Krujë Castle is located in the city of Krujë, which is about 12 miles north of the Albanian capital of Tirana. The city is small and can be walked. Buses and taxis can be caught from Tirana to Krujë. The bus to Krujë departs from the bus station serving the northern religion on Dritan Hoxha Street.