Antique and Byzantine Albania – Apollonia and Berat
Apollonia – Established in the 7th century B.C., by Greek settlers from Corinth and Corcyra, the ancient city is located 11 km to the west of the modern city of Fier. Archaeological excavations have revealed that Apollonia achieved its zenith in the 4th – 3rd centuries B.C. The city had a 4 km long surrounding wall. It has been estimated that during the developed stages of the city, 60000 inhabitants lived inside its imposing walls. Among the most interesting monuments worth visiting are the Bouleterion (city council), the library, the triumphal arch, the temple of Artemis, the Odeon built in the 2nd century B.C., the two-storey 77 mlongStoa, a theater with a capacity of 10000 spectators, and the Nymphaeum, a monumental water fountain. The statues and objects are displayed in the museum, which is housed in the monastery. Monastery courtyard is enclosed a Byzantine church dating back to the 14th century.
Berat - If specially interested in architecture, you should absolutely visit Berat, “City of one thousand windows”, stone structures built on steep hills. Berat has been considered as the centre of Southern Albania. Ruins of a citadel, several mosques and Byzantine churches make the town fascinating to stay. The old name of the city was Antipatrea. In 1961 it was declared a Museum City of Albania and is already a UNESCO World Heritage City, attracting many tourists throughout the entire year.Meeting at your hotel early in the morning (8h30)
- Drive Southeast Albania (approx. 1h)
- Stop in Durres beach for a short wake up coffee (Optional) (approx.15min)
- Drive to Apollonia (approx. 1h30m)
- Visit the Museum of Apollonia (approx. 20min)
- Visit the ruins, the Monastery and the monuments of Apollonia (approx. 1h30min)
- Drive to Berat(approx. 1h15min)
- Visit the Fortress and the Onufri Museum (45 min)
- Traditional Albanian lunch in one of the characteristic restaurants of the town (Optional) (approx. 1h30m)
- Visit the Medieval Centre (approx. 1h)
- Visit the Mangalem and Gorica neighborhoods (Muslim and Orthodox neighborhoods) (approx. 1h)
- Refreshment and coffee on the road back (Optional) (approx. 30 min)
- Drive back to Hotel in Tirana (approx. 2h15min).
Starting from 55.0 euros per person (minimum participation – 2 persons)
