Paris’s guidebook
Historical
This monument consists of a single tower and wall, and is referred to in many guides as the Venetian Tower. It dates way back to the 400s, during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I who was born in this city. Since its construction Durres Castle has seen some serious action, having been reinforced by the Venetians just before the city’s conquest by the Ottomans. In 1939 the castle was the base for a ragtag collection of Albanian patriots trying to delay the advance of the Italian army. Some 360 locals held their ground successfully until armoured Italian units disembarked at the port and took the city.
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Durres Castle
This monument consists of a single tower and wall, and is referred to in many guides as the Venetian Tower. It dates way back to the 400s, during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I who was born in this city. Since its construction Durres Castle has seen some serious action, having been reinforced by the Venetians just before the city’s conquest by the Ottomans. In 1939 the castle was the base for a ragtag collection of Albanian patriots trying to delay the advance of the Italian army. Some 360 locals held their ground successfully until armoured Italian units disembarked at the port and took the city.
Surely one of the greatest pieces of ancient architecture in Albania, if not the Balkans, the Durres Amphitheatre was built in 100AD by Hadrian and was only rediscovered in the 1960s. It was used for about 300 years and back then it could as many as 20,000 spectators. This grand scale is part of what makes the landmark special, but archaeologists are also intrigued by how the building demonstrates the Roman transition to Christianity. Within this site is a chapel with stunning wall mosaics of saints, showing how the amphitheatre took on a religious purpose later in its life.
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Αμφιθέατρο της Δυρραχίου
Rruga KalaseSurely one of the greatest pieces of ancient architecture in Albania, if not the Balkans, the Durres Amphitheatre was built in 100AD by Hadrian and was only rediscovered in the 1960s. It was used for about 300 years and back then it could as many as 20,000 spectators. This grand scale is part of what makes the landmark special, but archaeologists are also intrigued by how the building demonstrates the Roman transition to Christianity. Within this site is a chapel with stunning wall mosaics of saints, showing how the amphitheatre took on a religious purpose later in its life.
The largest archaeological museum in Albania, here you can see what all the different civilisations that settled this region left behind. It’s just a few steps from the waterfront and was established in 1951, with collections that cover every period from the Ancient Illyrian culture, through the Roman era, Byzantine times and the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The Roman items are particularly intriguing and include miniature busts of Venus and stone sarcophagi. The museum as an institution has its own story to tell, as it was ransacked in the unrest in 1997 and has only recently been renovated.
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Archaeological Museum of Durrës
32 Rruga TaulantiaThe largest archaeological museum in Albania, here you can see what all the different civilisations that settled this region left behind. It’s just a few steps from the waterfront and was established in 1951, with collections that cover every period from the Ancient Illyrian culture, through the Roman era, Byzantine times and the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The Roman items are particularly intriguing and include miniature busts of Venus and stone sarcophagi. The museum as an institution has its own story to tell, as it was ransacked in the unrest in 1997 and has only recently been renovated.
Best known beach
Albania’s most popular destination for a day by the sea, Durres Beach stretches out for more than ten kilometres along the city’s waterfront. The urban part of the beach is crazy in the summer, when it’s packed with people from all walks of life. There are all manner of things going on, from games of table football to water sports events. You’ll never need to leave your seat for a snack as hawkers patrol the arteries between the tight grids of sunbeds, selling a huge array of drinks and foodstuffs, often from the packs of donkeys that they lead along the sand.
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Beach of Durrës
Albania’s most popular destination for a day by the sea, Durres Beach stretches out for more than ten kilometres along the city’s waterfront. The urban part of the beach is crazy in the summer, when it’s packed with people from all walks of life. There are all manner of things going on, from games of table football to water sports events. You’ll never need to leave your seat for a snack as hawkers patrol the arteries between the tight grids of sunbeds, selling a huge array of drinks and foodstuffs, often from the packs of donkeys that they lead along the sand.