Durres, Dyrrachium, Epidamnus, Drach, Durazzo… these are all the names of one city, which was once, back in the 6th century BC, founded by Greek colonists from Corfu and Corinth. Currently, Durres is the second largest port city in Albania, which is located just thirty kilometers from Tirana. The port of Durres was founded two thousand years ago, and today it is a modern structure with an artificial harbor, two breakwaters and eleven berths. Well, and the port embankment, more than two kilometers long, is a favorite place for an evening promenade for locals and numerous guests of the city. Opposite Durres are the Italian cities of Bari and Brindisi. Well, now about all this in more detail
The city was founded in 627 BC, it was originally called the Greek word Epidamnus. The city was built in a very advantageous location, since the natural harbor was surrounded by cliffs from the sea, and by swamps from the land, which made the city virtually impregnable to enemies. After the Peloponnesian War, the city was first captured by the Illyrians, and a little later came under Roman influence. It was the Romans who gave the city a new name, Dyrrhachium, which means «two-ridged» in Greek. It was here, in Dyrrhachium, that Cicero lived in seclusion for a long time, and in 48 BC, not far from the city, the decisive battle between Caesar and Pompey took place. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, Dyrrhachium became the main city of New Epirus. Subsequently, after the split of the Roman Empire, the city was under the control of Byzantium, the Bulgarian Principality, and finally Italy. In the 13th century, the city officially became part of the Venetian Kingdom, at the same time the name was changed to Durazzo, and the Catholic faith began to spread in the city. In 1278, the first Dominican monastery was built here. When Durres was occupied by the Turks in the 15th century, the once flourishing city and major trading center was quickly destroyed, and the harbor was covered with sand. That is why Durres became one of the main centers of the liberation movement in Albania in 1912. And although Vlore became the first capital of independent Albania, in 1918-1920 Durres housed the country’s provisional government, and later it was here that King Ahmet Zogu’s residence was located. During Zogu’s reign, the city experienced a real economic boom, it was then that a modern port and the first public buildings were built. Today, the city’s population is about 120 thousand people and Durres can rightfully be called one of the largest economic and cultural centers of Albania.
The first thing you should pay attention to in Durres is, of course, the ancient amphitheater, which is the largest and most significant not only in Albania, but also on the entire Balkan Peninsula. The amphitheater was built at the beginning of our era during the reign of Emperor Trajan and could accommodate up to 15 thousand spectators. Only a third of the building has survived to this day, but given its age and the number of earthquakes, one can only be amazed and admire the skills of the ancient builders. Until the 6th century, gladiator fights and theatrical performances took place in the amphitheater. In the 6th century, Christianity began to gradually develop on the territory of Albania, which had a great influence on the life and everyday life of people. ,
At the top of the amphitheater there is a chapel built in the 6th century. Inside this chapel there are fragments of ancient mosaics and very beautiful frescoes that date back to the 10th-11th centuries. In addition, the crypt of the great martyr Astin, who was the first bishop in the city, is located here.
One of the most majestic buildings in the city is the Fatih Mosque, which was built in the 15th century in honor of Sultan Mehmed II (Fatih).
Durres has the largest archaeological museum, which was opened in 1951. It presents extensive collections of the Greek and Roman periods. Among the artifacts, one can especially highlight the funeral steles, stone sarcophagi, a collection of miniature busts of Venus, because the city used to be a place of worship for this goddess, and much more.
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Not far from the amphitheater is the castle of the first and only king of Albania to date — Ahmet Zogu. This villa was built in 1928 with funds from local merchants, who presented this castle to the king. In front of the entrance to the castle stands a statue of the glorious warrior of Albania — George Skanderbeg. The villa is located at an altitude of 100 meters above sea level and from the windows there is a magnificent view of the Adriatic Sea.
The most famous actor of Albania is Alexander Moisiu, who lived and worked in the 50s of the last century. In Durres, right on the central city square there is a theater, which was built in 1950 and bears the name of the great actor. Well, right behind the theater building you can see the Roman baths, which were discovered during the construction of the theater. Also nearby is the Byzantine agora and the Venetian tower, built in the 15th century.
Durres is a port city on the Adriatic coast in western Albania. It is located west of the capital, Tirana. It is famous for its Roman amphitheater and a 9th-century church covered in mosaics. Another important attraction is the Archaeological Museum, which displays artifacts from ancient Greece and Rome. Not far from the wide city beach with calm coastal waters is the summer residence of Ahmet Zogu, who was the king of Albania in the first half of the 20th century.
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