Durrës historical places: the ancient port of the Adriatic
Durrës historical places guide: the ancient city founded in 627 BC, the largest Roman amphitheatre in the Balkans, the Byzantine walls, the Venetian Tower and the Via Egnatia.
Durrës is one of Albania's most history-rich cities. This port city on the Adriatic brings together a history of more than two thousand years with its ancient roots from the 7th century BC, the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans, its Byzantine walls and its Roman roads. This guide visits Durrës's key historical sites in order.
Why is Durrës an ancient city?
Durrës was founded in 627 BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra, in cooperation with the local Illyrian Taulantii tribe. Known in antiquity as Epidamnos and then Dyrrhachium, the city grew wealthy as one of the most important ports of the Adriatic. This deep past makes Durrës one of the oldest settlements in Albania.
Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman periods shaped the city's fabric one above the other. The city's strategic position made it a point of passage between East and West. Wall, temple and building remains from antiquity can be seen today in the city centre and its surroundings. Durrës can be explored like an open history site by the sea, carrying its layered past in the streetscape.
The largest amphitheatre in the Balkans
Durrës's grandest historic structure is the Roman amphitheatre built in the 2nd century AD. With a capacity of about 20,000 people, it is considered the largest amphitheatre on the Balkan Peninsula and is on the UNESCO tentative list. Rising right within the city centre, it tangibly shows the city's size in antiquity.
Part of the amphitheatre came to lie beneath the city fabric in later centuries; the galleries and seating tiers uncovered in excavations can be visited today. The structure was used in antiquity for gladiatorial games and shows; in later periods it was put to other uses. This huge structure squeezed among modern buildings also strikingly shows how the ancient city interweaves with today's urban fabric. The amphitheatre is the best starting point for understanding Durrës's importance in the Roman period.
The Byzantine walls and the Venetian Tower
The Byzantine walls surrounding the city form the backbone of Durrës's defensive history. Emperor Anastasius I rebuilt and strengthened the walls in the 5th century, creating walls up to 12 metres high in places. Part of these walls still stands within the city fabric today.
The round Venetian Tower rising at the seaward end of the walls is the best-known element of Durrës Castle and was, in later periods, a watchpoint protecting the harbour. Today the tower and the wall remains around it show the city's medieval defensive system. Walking along the walls tangibly reveals how the ancient and medieval layers interweave by the sea. The tower is also an image symbolising the city's port identity and its centuries-old bond with the sea.
The Via Egnatia and the Roman heritage
Durrës was the starting point of the Via Egnatia, one of the most important roads of the ancient world. This great Roman road began at Durrës and led to Thessalonica and on to Constantinople. The road made the city the western gate of the Roman Empire's east–west axis and increased its wealth.
Thanks to the Via Egnatia, Dyrrhachium became a key centre for trade, the army and communication. The city's public building and dwelling remains from the Roman period carry the traces of this era to the present. The city's museums and archaeological sites tell of Durrës's ancient role through finds. This heritage makes the city not only a holiday port but also an archaeological stop. The traces of the Via Egnatia recall Durrës as one of Rome's key logistical hubs in the Balkans.
Port city and how to explore Durrës
Durrës is today one of the busiest ports on the Adriatic and is regarded as Albania's sea gate. The city was also, briefly, the capital of Albania from 7 March 1914 to 11 February 1920. This past shows the city's special place in the national history.
The practical route starts at the amphitheatre in the city centre, continues to the walls and the Venetian Tower, and then descends to the sea. Because the centre is compact, most sites can be explored on foot. Thanks to its closeness to Tirana, Durrës is easily added to a visit to the capital; the two join with a short journey. For more, see our city page on Durrës.
FAQ
What ancient city was Durrës?
Durrës was founded in 627 BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra, in cooperation with the local Illyrian Taulantii tribe. In antiquity it was known as Epidamnos and then Dyrrhachium. One of the most important ports of the Adriatic, the city is one of the oldest settlements in Albania and was the starting point of the Via Egnatia.
How big is the Durrës amphitheatre?
Durrës's Roman amphitheatre was built in the 2nd century AD and, with a capacity of about 20,000 people, is considered the largest amphitheatre on the Balkan Peninsula. On the UNESCO tentative list, the structure is right within the city centre; the galleries and seating tiers uncovered in excavations can be visited today.
What is the Via Egnatia and its link to Durrës?
The Via Egnatia was one of the most important roads of the ancient world and began at Durrës. This great Roman road led from Durrës to Thessalonica and on to Constantinople. It made Durrës the western gate of the Roman Empire's east–west axis and thus a key centre for trade, the army and communication.