Albanian Beach Resort & Port City
Western Albania, Albania
One of Albania's oldest cities and the main sea port, Durresi lies on a small peninsula on the coast of the Adriatic sea. Although international travellers do visit to see some of the archaeological remnants, the city is better known for its beach resort, Durresi Plazh, attracting Albanian holidaymakers from across the entire Balkan Peninsula.
Background
The city of Durresi was founded in 627 BC as a Greek colony named Epidamnus and was one of the causes of the Peloponnesian War in the 5th century BC Later, as Dyrrhachion it became a very important staging post for the Roman Empire. During this time it also became a major trading centre and the main port on the eastern coast of the Adriatic.
In the middle ages it was coveted by many different intruders from all over Europe. The fact that this city has been inhabited throughout its history means that very little of the ancient city has been excavated, as newer buildings have been built over ancient structures. However the Archeological Museum is well stocked and presented. The famous Roman orator, Cicero, called Durresi ‘an admirable city, while the poet Catullus called it the ‘tavern of the Adriatic’.