The second largest city in Albania, Durres is known by several names: Dirrachia, Drach and Durazzo. The city is 33 kilometers from the capital of Albania, Tirana, and is washed by the Adriatic Sea. Every year, wishing to visit this place is becoming more and more. What is the reason for such popularity? And you would not like to visit the city, which throughout its history has repeatedly been the apple of discord of many empires?

Paragraph history

Durres can boast a rich and very eventful history . It was founded in 627 BC and during its existence had time to visit part of the Roman possessions, was conquered by the Bulgarians and Byzantines, found the period of the Francocracy, and was part of Turkey before the beginning of the 20th century. - $ . The city survived the internal conflicts between the Corinthians and the Kercharians, during the Roman rule was a veteran colony, several times subjected to sieges, was destroyed by an earthquake, the occupation ns . Despite all this, Durres has managed to preserve their own cultural heritage .

Getting

Airport in Durres there, so you have to get from the Albanian capital Tirana. The airport is just 17 kilometers from the city. But you can not get to the city, and immediately go by taxi to Durres. The cost of the trip is about 25-30 EUR. The second option is to get there by one of the shuttle buses that run along the motorway 7 kilometers from the airport.

Durres hotels

Tourists in the one hundred thousandth Durres find housing is not a problem at all. In the city there is one two-star hotel - Lido, 13 "treshkas" and even a few "four": Arvi 4, Dolce Vita, Mali Robit Resort, Majestic. A stand alone is the only so far "five" - ​​Adriatik Hotel.

The cost of accommodation ranges from 1,800 to 6,500 rubles per day for two. It all depends on the chosen hotel and season.

Durres Restaurants

Durres is a small town, but nevertheless, he does not feel a lack of cafes and restaurants. In Piazza you can taste delicious pizza, Aragosta allows you to enjoy dishes with seafood, 2 Kitarrat - an excellent restaurant with live music and the ability to watch the cooking process, Troy Piceri Grill House - another "marine" restaurant where you can taste delicious dorado fish, cooked on a grill.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Durres

Fortunately, in the city and its environs, many architectural monuments have remained, not to visit which would be the most real crime against their own curiosity and ethnographic interest.

Roman Amphitheater

This, without a doubt, a great structure was erected in the second century BC. e. Until the fifth century it was used for its direct purpose - for carrying out cruel and bloody gladiatorial fights. By some strange coincidence, in the sixth century a chapel and a crypt were erected on the territory of the amphitheater. By the way, the chapel is decorated with beautiful mosaics and murals.

Today the amphitheater is in the center of modern Durres. Unfortunately, by the twentieth century only one third of the amphitheater survived, but everything else was restored according to ancient drawings. The Roman amphitheater is open to tourists from Monday to Friday from 9 to 16.

Ancient mosaic decoration

A mosaic pattern of multi-colored pebbles, depicting the woman's head, was found on the wall of an ancient building during excavations in one of the residential areas of Durres. The picture of 5 to 3 meters in size has survived in a terrific way, and this despite the fact that its age (according to the assurances of archaeologists) is 9 centuries.

Despite the fact that the mosaic was found in Durres, today it is exhibited as an exhibit in the museum of Tirana, just 33 kilometers from the city.

Mosque of Fatih

The age of the mosque is over 500 years. Located in the main square. In addition to the mosque itself, the room-chapel, preserved in the basement of the mosque, deserves attention.

Roman Baths

Surprisingly, the Roman baths were perfectly preserved in Durres. The room with hot water ("caldarium"), a hall with cold water ("frigidarium"), baths with changing rooms and a "fish pool" are not only preserved, but also function! There are Roman baths near the Alexandria Theater.

Mosaic of Orpheus

Mosaic canvas depicting Orpheus. It was found in 1988 on the wall of one of the old buildings. The find dates from the third century BC. e.

Ancient aqueduct

Once the aqueduct was a gigantic structure, built in the Roman period (in 117 BCE). Until now, only its ruins have survived. They are near the industrial institute.

Basilica Arapaj

It is not so easy to get to the basilica: it is located in the vicinity of the city, and you will have to walk to it on a narrow path for about 40 minutes. Unfortunately, there is almost nothing to look at: from the church of the sixth century there were only ruins. However, amateurs and fine connoisseurs will appreciate what they saw.

Photos of Durres (8)