|
TIRANA
The Capital of Republic of Albania, with a population of
just over 700.000, is situated at the foot of Dajti Mountain
(1612m) at 110m above the sea level.Tirana was founded in
1614.
Ethem Bey’s Mosque was build in 1821. Next to the mosque
stand the Clock Tower (1830), 35m high. Museum of National
History (opened 1981) is situated in the northern side of
the square.
In Tirana is situated the Government buildings, President’s
office and cultural centers as well as the botanical garden
and a small national zoo.
Just 25km east of Tirana is Dajti mountain, a natural park
rich in diversity trees and plants. One of the most
interesting places to see round Tirana, is Petrela village
with its fortress (12km south east Tirana).
DURRES
Formerly Durazzo, is an ancient city founded in 627 B.C.
today Durres is one of the biggest towns and sea ports in
Albania.Only 5km away from Durres is the beach area of
Durres. The beauty of Durres it is the most polychromatic
mosaic found in the country. The mosaic was discovered
beneath a dwelling in residential quarter of town. The
mosaic depicts on a block ground, woman’s head surrounded by
flowers.
SHKODRA
It is the biggest town in the northern part of Albania and
one of the biggest town of Albania. Formerly Scutari is one
of the oldest town in Europe, having been in the 3 century
B.C, the capital of Illyrian Kingdom of the Ardians, whose
queens was the legendary Teuta.Rozafa Fortress – was built
by Venetians in the 15 century and strengthened by the
Turkish when they seized Shkodra a century later.
GJIROKASTRA
It is one of most attractive towns in Albania. Is called
“The town of one thousand steps”, or “The stone town”.
Gjirokastra is mentioned for the first time in a document of
1336, under the name Argyropolihne (the township of Argyro)
derived from a princess Argyro. Later the town became known
as Argyrokastro.
One of the most attractions is the Fortress, which is built
in the 4th century.
National
Museum of Weapons .Typical houses of Gjirokaster constructed
from 1800 to 1860.The Bazaar Mosque was built in 1757.Old
Turkish baths, which date to the 17th century.
The Church in Varosh quarter which dates to 1776 and was
rebuilt in 1833. The Church and the Old Bazaar quarter dates
to 1784.
In Gjirokaster district is situated the small village of
Dropull inhabitated by greek minority.
BUTRINTI
The ancient city of Butrinti is very much preferred to
visited, as an archeologocal center, where antiquity and
beauty of nature intertwin.During the first millennium B.C,
Butrint was a fortified center of the Kaonian Illyrians, one
of the big tribesof southern Illyria. In the 6 century B.C
the greeks from Corfu settled here , alongside with
Illyrians and the new colony grew and prosper as the result
of the trade.
It was the seat of Bysantine bishop in the 10th
century. Butrint was captured by the Normans in the 11th,
to the Hohenstaufens in the 13th century and
passed to Venice from 1690 to 1797, when it was captured by
Ali Pasha Tepelena.
Site to visit : The temple of Asclepios, The Theatre, The
Goddess of Butrint, The Public Bath, The remais of a Thermal
bath, a Church of the early Middle ages, The lion’s Gate.
The wonderful spot “The Blue Eye” is is 18km north of
Saranda Town.
SARANDA
Near Saranda stood the ancient Illyrian city of Onchesmos,
mentioned as a port in the first century B.C. Saranda is
situated in an open sea gulf, opposite the island of Corfu.
Saranda, the getaway to the southern Albania, is a small
town located between mountains and the Ionian Sea. Saranda
is called by Albanians as the town of the “honeymooners”,
because in this tourist town, traditionally the honeymooners
spend their holidays.
BERAT
Is the most ancient cities in Albania, lying on the banks of
the Osum River, located in the southern region , about 130km
south of capital of Albania.The town of Berat, overshadowed
to the east by Tomor Mountain 2415m, is an ancient Illyrian
settlement founded in the 4th and 5th
centuries B.C on the territory of the Illyrian tribe of
Desarettes. During the second century B.C the town was
called Antipatres. Its innumerable monuments and beautiful
and charachteristic architecture of its houses have
proclaimed Berat a “Museum Town”. With their wide facades
and large windows, they seem to be built almost on top of
one another, giving Berat its name of “The city of thousand
windows”.The town is composed of three parts : CORICA,
situated on the far side of the river, MANGALEM, situated on
the fortress side of the river and the RESIDENTIAL QUARTER,
within the fortress known as Kalaja.
KRUJA
Kruja, a charming little town all up in the sky. The
historical town of Kruja is situated north east of Tirana,
560m above the sea level on the slopes of Sarisalltiku
mountain. Kruja has been inhabited since 3 century B.C. The
Museum of Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg is designed as an
ancient fortress.
APOLLONIA
Was founded at the beginning oh the 6 century B.C (year 588)
by the Greek colonists coming from Corinth and Corcyra.
Apollonia is one of the 30 ancient towns. Dedicated to God
Apollo. The excavations and the monuments of Apollonia :
·
The Encircling Wall
·
The Terrace Wall
·
The Arched Gates
·
The Monument of Agonothetes
·
The Library and the Odeon
·
The House with Mosaics
·
The Museum of Apollonia
·
The Church of St. Mary
POGRADEC
Pogradec lies in the southern part of Albania, on the shore
of lake Ohrid and shares borders with FYR of Macedonia. |
