Bylis, a point of tourist attraction

BYLIS, May 7 – The ancient
Illyrian town of Bylis located at the
Hekal village in Mallakastra is an
important place to visit for all tourists,
be they international or local
ones, as it offers an important part
of the country’s ancient history.
The ancient spot also offers a
wonderful nature vision.
It is located only five kilometers
from the Ballsh town, 100
kilometers south of capital Tirana.
Bylis is some 40 hectares with
many archaeological objects that
are also being taken care of from
experts. Archaeological excavations
continue to bring out new
ancient objects.
Bylis belongs to the 4th century
B.C., known at the time with the
name Nikaia, whose residents located
half an hour away relocated
in Bylis as it could not spread further
where it was.
Bylis has more than two
kilometers of surrounding gates
that soon became a main economic
and commercial center of the area.
It issued its coin in the 3rd century
B.C.. at the same time it built its
center with a theatre with some
9,000 seats, a stadium, gymnasium
and other objects.
The city was autonomous until
the 1st century B.C. and after that
it lost its importance turning into a
small center and further to a village
in the 2nd century, naturally
affected negatively from the
Illyrian-Roman wars of the time.
At the 5-6th century it turned
again into a main center of the area
after the destruction of Apolonia. It
was later ruined from the barbarous
campaigns and was lost from the
map. The first archaeological excavations
at the area started in 1978
and since then there have been discovered
many objects writing its
history. At the moment it is being
excavated from Albanian-French
missions.