Durrës is Albania’s second-largest city. It has a long history, starting out as a Greek colony in the 7th century BC and later becoming the Roman city of Dyrrhachium after the Romans took over the area in the 3rd century BC. It was a coastal city with a strategic position, not far from where the Adriatic narrows to meet the Mediterranean. In 48 BC it was the scene of the Battle of Dyrrhachium when Julius Caesar unsuccessfully tried to wrestle control over it from Pompey during the civil war.
The most well-known structure in Durrës today is the Venetian Tower (pictured above), which was added to the fortifications of the existing Byzantine castle there soon after the Venetian took the city at the end of the 14th century. Unfortunately, not much is left of ancient Dyrrhachium, although one notable structure is the Roman amphitheater built in the early 2nd century AD.
Tips for the Visitor
Durrës is a 30-minute drive west of the capital city of Tirana. In addition to bus services to other cities in the country, Durrës also has ferry services across the Adriatic to Bari, Italy.
Location Map