In addition to its historical value, Durr쳠is also a beautiful place to take a modern vacation, due to its sandy beaches, hotels and metropolitan feel.
“Durres, Albania: Here’s your chance to see Adriatic beach resorts that for years were heavily guarded enclaves of the country’s elite. Albania second-largest city is a handy jumping off point for tours of the coast and castle tours.” This is how the Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest national newspaper, described in 2012 Durres, located just 30 km off Tirana which it placed on top of the eight exciting new cruise ports to explore.
The rating came after The Globe and Mail selected Albania as a top tourism destination in 2012. In a travel slideshow on its website, the newspaper placed the Albanian Riviera as the top destination among the six best places to visit in 2012.
Located on the central Albanian coast, about 33 km west of the capital Tirana, Durres is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. The port town is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari and Brindisi. Founded in the 7th century BC under the name Epidamnos, it has been continuously inhabited for 27 centuries and is one of the oldest cities in Albania.
The city boasts a Roman amphitheatre of the 2nd century A.D, one of the largest in the Balkan.
Archaeologists have discovered some of the country’s most beautiful mosaics in the ancient city of Durres and its suburbs. Apart from the “Durres Beauty” mosaic which is on display at the National Historical Museum in Tirana, Durres is also known for its mosaics at the ancient Roman amphitheatre, the Arapaj Basilica and several others which are being preserved pending to be displayed.
You can also see the bathhouses of the 2nd century A.D. and the nearby Byzantine forum of the 5th-6th century with marble columns. One-third of the original wall of the city castle is still standing, and you can even walk along the same road that Caesar himself trod.
The Archeological Museum is a new building on “Taulantia” Avenue. It is one of the most important of its kind and is of great interest to visitors. It contains both the Hellenic and Roman periods.
In addition to its historical value, Durr촩 is also a beautiful place to take a modern vacation, due to its sandy beaches, hotels and metropolitan feel. You will find excellent restaurants and accommodations all along the sea’s edge.
Durres also boasts some almost virgin beaches such as the Lalzi Bay and Bisht Palle where new roads have made access much easier.
What to visit:
Durres amphitheater
Durres Amphitheater is one of the largest amphitheaters on the Balkans. The site was partially excavated beginning in 1960 and has an estimated seating capacity of 20,000 people. It is situated the middle of the modern city of Durres, along with other important historical sites such as the public baths dating from the 2nd century AC and the remains of an aqueduct about 15 km long, built during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian. Additional sites include Byzantine-era walls and the round Forum-Macellum, built during the 5th-6th centuries CE.
Collections of archaeological objects found at sites around the city can be viewed at the city’s Archaeological Museum, although the famous, “Bukuroshja e Durr촩t” ” The Beauty of Durres” mosaic is located at the National Historic Museum in Tirana.
King Zog’s Palace
Also known as King Zog’s Villa, the Palace was built in 1927, as a personal gift to King Zog I, by the business community of Durres as a sign of respect and prosperity. Built in a form of an eagle, the villa was constructed on the highest point of the port city of Durres, overlooking the city and peering towards Italy. It is most famous for its Blue marble and large ballroom. Although horribly damaged during the 1997 riots, it remains a symbol the heritage of the city of Durres. With over two thousand newly married couples visiting it as a sign of good luck yearly.
Lonely Planet on Durres
Lonely Planet tourist guide which in 2011 ranked Albania as the top global destination to visit describes as blessed with a decent 10km stretch of beach, but a lesson in unplanned development.
“Durr쳠was once – albeit briefly – Albania’s capital. It’s now virtually an extension of Tirana, joined to the capital by a ceaseless urban corridor full of hypermarkets and car dealerships. Blessed with a decent 10km stretch of beach, Durr쳠is sadly a lesson in unplanned development; hundreds of hotels stand side by side, and it’s terribly crowded in the summer months. Despite this, there’s an interesting amphitheatre to see.”
This article opens a series Tirana Times is publishing this tourist season on Albanian travel destinations.
