TIRANA, Oct. 8 – German and Albanian archaeologists have concluded ten years of joint excavations at the Apollonia archaeological park, the country’s second biggest park located in southwestern Albania.
The conclusion of the successful expedition which has excavated and researched into the ancient amphitheatre came this week as part of events marking the German October in Albania.
Movies, literature, theater, music, ballet and workshops are scheduled to be staged all over Albania in this ninth edition of the Deutscher Oktober scheduled to be held from Sept. 29 to Nov. 3.
Since 2006, German and Albanian archaeologists have worked and conducted research into the theatre of the ancient city of Apollonia targeting its reconstruction from the excavated materials. Research works has focused on shedding light into the theatre’s special construction stages and its integration in the ancient city.
With a capacity of 10,000 to 12,000 seats, the Apollonia Theatre was one of the biggest of its kind in the Mediterranean and is the biggest ancient construction in Albania along with the Durres amphitheatre.
Established in the 4th century BC as a local assembly and theatrical site, the theatre turned into an arena for gladiator and animal fights. The theatre’s activity stopped in the 4th century AD after its collapse.
Luan Perzhita, the director of the Archaeology Institute says the German support has made possible the fortification of the Theatre’s structures.
Excavations in the Apollonia park began during World War I by Austrian archaeologists. The process continues as it is believed that most of the city is still deep below Apollonia’s hills.
Established in the 7th century B.C., by Greek settlers, the ancient city of Apollonia is located 11 km to the west of the modern city of Fier.
Bashkim Lahi, an Albanian archaeologist describes cooperation with German colleagues as very fruitful for the graphic reconstruction of the theatre but warns field excavations require further funding to shed to light into the European heritage in the ancient town of Apollonia.
Among the most interesting monuments worth visiting are the Bouleterion (city council), the library, the triumphal arch, the temple of Artemis, the Odeon built in the 2nd century B.C., the two-storey 77 m long Stoa, a theater with a capacity 10,000 spectators, and the Nymphaeum, a monumental water fountain covering an area of 2000m2.
The Apollonia park also features a museum with some of the most important artifacts discovered in the park.
Closed down on safety grounds in the early 90s, the archaeological museum of Apollonia, reopened its doors in December 2011 after 20 years. Restored under UN and UNESCO assistance, the reopened museum in the south-western district of Fier, features 750 archaeological items and ancient coin treasuries, displayed in a 1,000 m2 area, previously stored in the Archaeology Institute of Tirana.
