ALBANIA: Durres -- ancient Roman ruins and Archeological Museum

Durres, one of the most ancient cities in Albania (and a short drive from the capital of Tirana) is located on the Adriatic coast. Durres (Epidamnos) was a vital port during the Peloponesian War as well as during Roman times (as Dyrrachium, along the Via Egnatia)

A guide took us on a tour of the ruins of the ancient Roman coliseum there, said to be the largest in the Balkans (seating 15-20,000). We saw where the gladiators and the lions were held - and also the 6th century chapel dedicated to the first Bishop of Durres, Saint Astius.  (See https://archaeology-travel.com/destinations/europe/albania/)


Some highlights from the website http://www.albaniantourist.com/durres.html :

"Durrës, a port city dating back to the 7th century BCE, is a wonderful walking, sight-seeing, and beach location.
     Historical highlights of Durres are its involvement during the Roman period, 5th century BCE. Durres, or Epidamnos at that time, became a port during the Peloponnesian War. After the war, and do to new foreign influences, Epidamnus later expanded politically, architecturally, and culturally and changed its name to Dyrrhachion; Dyrrachium was used in Roman literature and known as the battlefield between the legions of Caesar and Pompey (49-48 BCE). Dyrrhachion was a vital Roman port of The Egnatian Way (Via Egnatia). This trade route was one of the main roadways which connected Rome with Byzantium and as times flourished Durres did as well. A result is Durres being home to the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkans.
     Modern Durres, or Durresi, is much different than its past. It shortly acquired capital notoriety, after independence in 1912, but then lost it to Tirana, is a modern, thriving port city with developed boulevards, soft sand beaches for tourism, and calm, warm Adriatic waters. Future planning for Durres has pointed towards Greek and Italian beach culture and quality."

Archeological Museum

 The Archeological Museum in Durres is the largest in Albania. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the museum. However, if you visit this link, you can see much of the collection:

https://www.intoalbania.com/attraction/the-national-archaeological-museum/