Durres - port city with plenty of history

Originally known as Epidamnos when the Greeks started this city in 7 BC and having been continuously habituated since then, it has been a major port through history. 

Not the most picturesque of places but maybe I just had luck but had an amazing sunset which was truly enjoyable and made prettier by the different statues by the beach.

I really had no idea what to expect but was surprised to learn and visit the different sites. 

Durres Castle or fortified city was built in the 5th century and been repaired and reinforced throughout history. 

1) the Venetian tower - key part of the fortress of the city and thought to have been built in the 15th century and a key point to defend the city as from here they had five openings for cannons as protection. It has been reconstructed after mother nature earthquake damaged it. If you visit it, they have a projection on the dome of the tower which tells the history of Durres.

2) The Roman amphitheatre - this one is impressive. Only discovered in 1966 by an archeologist who kept hearing people saying their pets will get lost into different places where they could hear their cats meow or dogs bark but never knew where they were. Well....they were going into the ruins underneath that had a pretty massive Roman amphitheatre. 

This is the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans and it's still in the process of been excavated and studied but it was a 4 story/level high with a capacity of 20,000 people. 

And there are houses still where the amphitheatre is which the government is buying so they can continue the archeological rebuild. 

The photo of the tunnel shows how one could go down multiple levels and to the chapel that was in the amphitheatre. 

3) the Roman baths. They are located under a government building which when they started building it under the communist regime they found this and hence built the structure in a way to preserve these Roman baths. 

If you didn't knew, the Romans were quite obsessed with cleanliness and hence they built Roman baths and aqueducts to bring water so they can be clean. What's impressive is that they knew how to have hot rooms (kind of saunas as they heated the rooms from below), had cold rooms and pools of different temperatures. 

The baths were also a gathering place and we're people would hang out and discuss business. 

To go into the Roman baths area which seems to be locked all the time (as from outside the fence just looks like some archeological remains....you need to go to the bar that's by the entrance and they keep the key to the lock. That way you can go down under the government building and see the Roman baths. 

And here are a few more photos of Durres and it's beach

PRACTICAL DETAILS 

- I had a guide called Joana which was truly fantastic and can pass her details if anyone ever makes it here. 

- Accomodation - not sure as I didn't stay here

- FOOD: 

Meison Bistro & Markata - one block from the promenade, they have a selection of fresh fish and seafood to choose what you want. 

Great food but with non existent service.

The promenade by the beach is full of restaurants all of them offering an extensive menu of everything from fish, steak, pasta, pizza, etc. 

I was told the four seasons restaurant is on the better side of most. 

- how to get to Durres

From Tirana it's only around 45 minutes by car. You can take a taxi or a bus