Meet the clients at port of Durres. Departure for trip to the main interesting objects of Ancient Apolonia.
The ancient city of Apollonia is located in central-western part of Albania, about six miles west of Fier. It was founded in 558 BC by settlers from Corfu and Corinth — an important port along the route between Rome and Byzantium. Emperor Octavian Augustus studied philosophy here and, later, Aristotle mentioned the town in his book. Your guide will explain that, during its glory days, Apollonia boasted about 60,000 inhabitants, and it was surrounded by city walls almost three miles long. Among the site’s most interesting monuments are the Bouleterion (City Council), the library, the triumphal arch, the Temple of Artemis, and the Odeon. In the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, Apollonia was affected by several earthquakes and the town entered a rapid decline. The ruins of Apollonia now serve as an open-air archaeological museum. Adjacent to the archaeological site are the Monastery and Church of Saint Mary. The monastic complex was built in the 13th century and is one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in Albania.
