Durres is a major Albanian city on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari and Brindisi. Approximately 114 thousand people live here. The city is very old, it was founded in 627 to our era. Accordingly, there are quite a lot of historical values. And in general, it is a pleasant place for vacation: pure mountain air, charming landscapes, steep mountainside, sea ... and the sea of sights.
Antique amphitheater.
This construction was built in about 2 century to our era. The ancient theater was well preserved to the present day, although the grass was already afraid, and in general, there was only a third of the former powerful building, part of the theater is a little restored. Up to 5th century, the construction was used in direct appointment - there were presentations and gladiatorial battles. In the sixth century on the territory, a crypt was erected with a beautiful mosaic and frescoes. Look for the theater on Rruga Sotir Noka Street, it is in the city center. The place is open for tourists from Monday to Friday from 9 to 16 hours.
Venetian tower
The tower is part of the walls of the ancient Byzantine city, which were built in the sixth century, after the invasion is ready. In the 14th century, the walls have strengthened with round Venetian towers of white limestone. In one of these towers there are even a bar, very popular among local. This tower is located on Rruga Anastas Durrsaku.
Vintage walls
Brick walls, encircling the city, were built during the reign of Emperor Anastasia I (491-518). The length of the walls is approximately 3.5 kilometers, the height is 12 meters, as well as the walls were very thick, wide.
Antique city Apollonia
Apollonia's antique city is located 12 kilometers from Fiier and approximately an hour's drive from Durres (100 km). This city was founded in 855 BC, Greeks, and then he was considered the city-state and one of the most important and richest places. Today, you can see the ancient amphitheater, the colonnade of the stores of the Roman city center, Odeon, a portico with niches for statues, "Mosaic House" with a fountain, fragments of serfs, monastery of St. Mary with the Museum of Archeology and the Byzantine Church. Not far from Apollonia, on the way to Durres, Ardenik Monastery is located. The mosaic house is very and very impressive! Mosaics are made of small natural stone cubes covered with glass glaze and decorated with small pebbles or pebbles.
Villa King Ahmeta I Zogu
There is this luxury villa on top of the hill of Durres (at an altitude of 98 meters), not far from the Roman amphitheater. This villa once belonged to the first president and the king of Albania. Its construction began in 1926 on the means of merchants Durres, presented as a symbolic gift to the king. Finished the construction of the villa only in 1937, a couple of months later after the wedding of the king. This building has become a summer residence of Ahmet and his family. From the hill on which the villa is worthwhile, a wonderful fork on the city and the sea! This villa was attended by many famous personalities, for example, Nikita Khrushchev was here, and in the 90s, former US President Jimmy Carter visited it. It is very sorry, but in 1997, during the riots, the inner decoration of the building was very victim, but the son of the king put great efforts to her restoration, and in 2007, the villa returned the former look.
Fatih Mosque (Xhamia Fatih)
This is perhaps the most significant city building. The mosque was built in 1503 on the ruins of the Basilica of the XI-XII centuries. The mosque is named after Sultan Mehmed II Conqueror (Fatiha). Well, what we can see today are a new mosque that was built in the last century. The mosque functions to this day, looks very beautiful - from the stone of light color, with a simple and elegant minaret, which is visible from afar. This building is located on Rruga Xhamia Street.
Archaeological Museum
This museum opened in 1951 offers large and interesting collections of artifacts of different periods (about 2,000 subjects). For example, you can see Roman funeral steles, stone sarcophages, mosaics, miniature busts of Venus (located in a separate room) and other interesting things found during excavations in this area. This is the largest archaeological museum in the country. In general, it is worth going. The museum works daily except Monday, daily 8-13 and 17-19 hours. Look for a museum at Rruga Taulantia 32.
Port of Dresa
This is the largest port of Albania. It is located to the east of Cape Durres, and found it more than two thousand years ago. Of course, today it is a modern seaport with an artificial harbor in a huge territory (about 67 hectares). The port has two breakwater and 11 berths. The stretch of the embankment in the port is more than 2 thousand meters. By the way, this port is connected by ferry crossing with Italy, which is very convenient for tourists who travel around Europe.
Ancient mosaic decoration
This mosaic picture of 5 for 3 meters is made of multicolored pebbles and depicts a woman's head. This picture was found on the wall of one of the old buildings in the residential area of Durres. It's amazing that the picture survived, because, according to scientists, a picture of about 9th centuries. She can admire the Museum of the city of Tirana, just 33 kilometers from the city. Well, yes, it's more likely to the article about Tiran, but I really wanted to celebrate!
Museum of People's Culture
This museum opened in 1982. Here you can admire a fairly large ethnographic collection of exhibits, such as folk costumes of different regions of Albania, the work of local artisans and artists. There is a museum on Koloneli Tomson Street and works daily from 8 am to 13:00 and from 17 to 15 pm, Monday is a day off.
Alexander Moysu Museum
Located this museum in one building with a folk culture museum. He is also open in 82 years. And the museum is dedicated, as already clearly, the actor of Albanian origin Alexander Moysu. There are various photos, documents and works of local artists with its images. But, if you do not know who it is (here, for example, I'm completely different before this actor), it makes no sense to visit this museum, perhaps.