Albanian Archeological treasures

Tirana – Shkoder – Kruja – Tirana
Drive to Shkoder the most important town of north Albania and one of the oldest in the country. It is thought to have been founded around 4th century B.C. and it was the center of the Illyrian Tribe of Labeat. In the 3rd century B.C. it became the capital of the best known Illyrian Kingdom under Pleurat and Agron, who were two of the important kings who strengthened the Kingdom. Teuta, the Queen after the death of Agron fought and lost the Illyrio-Roman Wars during 221-219 B.C. succumbing to Roman rule, while her successor King Gent, re-ignited the anti-roman campaigns but finally was defeated at Shkoder in 168 B.C. We will visit the Rozafa Castle rebuilt during Venetian rule in the 14th century over the previous foundations of the Illyrian castle. Spectacular views all around can be enjoyed from the castle where you will feel the supremacy the Illyrians would have had over their enemies standing in such an imposing castle. We will also visit the Archaeological Museum situated in a traditional house of Ottoman architecture, where pavilions are small but very interesting and show the importance of this town back in time, which minted its own money. Afterwards we take a short walk in town through the nicely restored pedestrian area of Italian architectural influences and have lunch in a very characteristic restaurant.
(Optional) Afterwards depart for Kruja, the capital of Albania during the resistance against the Turks under Scanderbeg, who is our national hero and was a great leader that defeated the Turks in 25 battles. After visits of the Scanderbeg Museum and the Old Bazaar, we make our way just down below Kruja, to Zgërdhesh. Here are the ruins of ancient site, Albanopolis the center of the Illyrian tribe of Albans from which the country took its name hence becoming Albania. Only a 90 meter long fragment of the imposing wall survived, and can be seen at the lower part of the hill. There are also remains of three rectangular Illyrian watchtowers, which are thought to have been built in the 4C BC: after the visits return to Tirana for overnight.

Travel information:
Distance: 250 km
Duration: 4 hours

Tirana – Durres – Berat (UNESCO)
Depart to Durres, the oldest city in Albania. The first and most important of the Greek colonies in the country. Founded in 627 B.C. by colons from Corcyra (present-day Corfu) and Corinth. Greek and Roman authors called it “the Admirable City” for its temple, statues, and other monuments. Fertile land and a large seaport accounted for the colony’s prosperity and success in commerce. Growth brought to the lower classes wealth and a subsequent desire to have more of a government voice, leading to a civil war between the small ruling class (oligarchs) and most of the population. The people requested Corinth’s assistance in battle, while the oligarchs sought aid from Corcyra. Corinth was allied with Sparta and Corcyra upon this request, applied for aid from Athens giving start to what was later known as the Peloponnesian War. However only a few remains remind us of this city’s glory days, mainly due to the fact that Durres has been continuously inhabited through time, therefore being transformed accordingly. Visit the largest Roman Amphitheatre in the Balkans, Roman Forum and Archaeological Museum. After visits depart for Berat, one of the most visited and characteristic towns in Albania under the protection of UNESCO World Heritage site for its architectural uniqueness. On the way we will pass by Kavaja’s Rock where Caesar camped his troops during the civil war with Pompeii. Close by is the field of Golem where the outcome of the war was actually decided. Afterwards we visit the Castle and the Onufri Museum. Berat castle is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, as have their ancestors for centuries. The castle used to have over 40 churches of which 7 still remain including St. Mary’s church turned into Onufri Museum. Onufri was a famous Albanian Icon master painter of the 16th century who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece, using a special red color. Overnight in Berat.

Travel information:
Distance: 135 km
Duration 2.5 hours

Berat – Byllis – Gjirokastra (UNESCO)
On the way to Gjirokastra visit the ancient city of Byllis, one of the largest cities in Southern Illyria. Despite being founded by Illyrians this city has been mentioned relatively late by historians and ancient geographers for. Around 270 B.C. the city was the center of a koinon, a political organization of the time, covering about 20km2. In 48 B.C. the city surrenders to the forces of Caesar and served as a base his large army. Byllis became a Roman colony, during the first years of the dominium of Augustus, known as Colonia Iulia Augusta. During the Late Antique period several large Paleo-Christian basilicas were constructed, all of them carrying lavishly decorated mosaics, some of which can still be admired today. We visit the site and proceed to Gjirokastra, a museum town built entirely of stone, proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site for this distinct architecture. Visit Ethnographic Museum, which is also the house the Albanian ex-dictator was born. Overnight in Gjirokastra.

Travel information:
Distance: 60 km
Drive: 1 hour

Gjirokastra –Hadrianopolis-Antigonea – Butrint (UNESCO) – Saranda
First short visit at the ruins of ancient Hadrianopolis. It was built in the middle of a field without protective walls, at the time of roman emperor Hadrian whose name it took, historical period known as Pax Romana which translates as Roman Peace, hence surrounded by vast Roman territories the city had no need for fortifications. Driving to the ancient city of Antigonea, found and named by famous king Pyrrhus after his wife Antigonea, stepdaughter of king Ptolemy III, rulers of Egypt 3th century B.C. City lies on a hill 600 meters above sea level and was at one point completely encircled by a fortified wall estimated at four kilometers in circumference, with the city’s spread covering 35 hectares. The Agora of the city has been excavated and a Stoa, 59m long and 9m wide has been brought to light. After visits of the site we proceed to the ancient city of Butrint – a UNESCO World Heritage site and considered by most as the best archaeological site in Albania and beyond. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of passing civilizations, giving archaeologists the possibility to study continuity through time. It is situated in a beautiful peninsula among lush vegetation. The site has been occupied since at least the 8th century BC, although myths associated with its origins speak of the city’s foundation by Trojan exiles led by Aeneas. By the 4th century B.C. a walled settlement was established and the city became a successful cult site, dedicated to Asclepius. Main monuments around Butrint would definitely include the elegant 4th century B.C. Greek theater with its fine caves and Roman science frons with a capacity of a. 1500 spectators, the associated Greek sanctuary of Asclepius, the line of Roman period courtyard houses and bath-houses, east of the theatre disposed around the forum, the ruins of the Triconch close to the Butrint canal, a large Byzantine baptistery with its intact mosaic pavement dating to the early 6th century A.D., the well-preserved 6th century basilica (refurbished in later medieval times), the ruins of a 2nd century A.D. nymphaeum immediately adjacent to the basilica, and the kilometers of high, imposing walls dating from Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and medieval occupations. This is a wonderful site to explore for archaeology enthusiasts, definitely worth spending a few hours. We return to Saranda for overnight.

Travel information:
Distance: 25 km
Duration: 0.5 hours

Saranda – Albanian Riviera – Orikum-Amantia – Vlora
Drive through the spectacular Albanian Riviera with its traditional villages. Short visit in the fortress of Porto Palermo. At the Llogara National Park we stop at around 1100 meters where spectacular views of the Ionian Sea can be admired. After descending Llogara pass visit the ruins of ancient city of Orikum, founded by Greek colons. According to the ancient author Apollonius Orik city was established when Euboea’s returned from ancient Troy. The ancient stone theatre was built in first centuryB.C. and has a capacity of 600 spectators. Researchers say this theatre has been used for theatric shows and gladiators fights. Ancient city of Amantia founded in the 5th century BC and covered an area of 13 ha. The town of Amantia was surrounded with a walled enclosure roughly 2100 meters long. A large fort was built with two gates and two defensive towers in the north. Amantia remained a small urban center and in early Christian times was the seat of a bishop. It is thought that Amantia may have been abandoned by the end of the 6C AD. The city of Amantia had its own acropolis and a Doric style temple dedicated to Aphrodite, constructed in the 3rd century B.C. The best preserved monument is the stadium which is 60 m long and 12.5 m wide. The stadium has 17 steps on one side and 8 on the other and could accommodate about 4000 people. After visits of the site return to Vlora and check in at the hotel. Afterwards we visit the original house where the independence document was signed in 1912 turned into “Independence Museum”. The house was the first seed of an Independent Albanian Government. At leisure for the late afternoon and evening in Vlora where we overnight

Transfer information:
Distance: 25 km
Duration: 0.5 hours

Vlora – Apollonia– Ardenica – Durres
Depart for the ancient city of Apollonia one of the most important ancient centers in Roman times on the famous Via Egnatia. The famous Roman orator Cicero, astonished by the beauty of Apollonia named it in his Philippics, magna gravis – a great and important city. Established in the 7th century B.C., by Greek settlers from Corinth and Corcyra, the ancient city is located 11 km to the west of the city of Fier. Archaeological excavations have revealed that Apollonia achieved its zenith in the 4th – 3rd centuries B.C. In the first century B.C., Octavian Augustus studied philosophy there until he heard news of Caesar’s murder in the Senate and went on to become the next emperor. Visit the city and an Orthodox monastery turned into archaeological museum. Afterwards we visit the Monastery of Ardenica built in the middle ages of particular interest due to the beautiful frescoes of Konstantin Shpataraku and the Zografi brothers. Scanderbeg the Albanian National Hero was married at the chapel of this monastery hence increasing its importance in Albanian history. Continue on to Durres for overnight.

Transfer information:
Distance: 25 km
Duration: 0.5 hours

Durres – Tirana Airport
After breakfast we drive to the Airport: end of our Service.

Transfer information:
Distance: 25 km
Duration: 0.5 hours