Durrës is the second-largest city of Albania. It is the most ancient and one of the most economically important cities of Albania. It is located on the central Albanian coast, about 33 km (21 mi) west of the capital Tirana. It is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari (300 km/186 mi away) and Brindisi (200 km/124 mi away). It has a population of around 114,000 (as of 2003 estimate). The city of Durrës is home to Albania's newest public university, the Aleksander Moisiu University.
Durrës is still an important link to Western Europe due to its port and its proximity to the Italian port cities, notably Bari, to which daily ferries run. As well as the dockyard, it also possess an important shipyard and manufacturing industries, notably producing leather, plastic and tobacco products. The neighbouring district also produces wine and a variety of foodstuffs.
The city's beaches are also a popular destination for many foreign and local tourists, with an estimated 600,000 tourists visiting annually. Many Albanians from Tirana spend their summer vacations on the beaches of Durrës.
Due to the recent construction of a modern highway linking Tirana and Durrës, the travel time is only approximately 30 minutes. You can also make the journey by train. There are roughly ten trains a day from Tirana.
As in other parts of Albania, numerous concrete bunkers built under the old dictatorship are situated in and around Durrës. They can be found every 100 to 150 metres (330 to 490 ft) along the city's beach. They were built to defend the country from a supposed foreign attack from either the West or the Warsaw Pact which never happened; Albania now has an estimated 700,000 bunkers.
The largest amphitheatre in the Balkans is located in the city close to the harbour. This 1st Century construction is currently under consideration for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Durrës has a generally Mediterranean climate. The average temperature varies from a low of 5 °C (41 °F) in January to a high of 28 °C (82 °F) in July and August. The driest months are June, July and August, each with less than 1 cm of precipitation on average, while the rest of the year sees monthly precipitation over 2 cm.
WHAT TO SEE
In the center you will find quite a good Archeological Museum, a Museum of History, and the house of Aleksander Moisiu's family which has been turned into a museum, also you will find the Roman baths and the magnificent amfitheater right behind the mosque.
The Fortress of the City the remains of the walls belong to the 6th century; the addition from 13-14th century. Wars and earthquakes destroyed the fortress.
The Amphitheatre with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. Its diameter must have been more than 120 metres. It is one of the biggest and most exquisite monuments that have survived from the ancient city. It was built in the 2nd century A.D.
The Belle of Durres is the most polychromatic mosaic found in the country. The mosaic was discovered beneath a dwelling, in a residential quarter of the town. It is elliptical in shape and measures 17 x 10 feet. The mosaic depicts on a block ground g woman's head surrounded by flowers
Roman Thermal Baths were discovered on 1962. The baths have a hypocaust or heating system and a pool, 23 feet long by 17 feet wide.
The Archaeological Museum situated near the sea. It gives a view on the ancient Dyrrachium. There are many objects excavated in Durres and this museum being small can not reveal all of them. There are currently plans to construct and extension to the existing museum.
On the west side of the town, on top of a hill, rises a magnificent villa. It used to be the villa of King Zog. Today it is used to receive foreign delegations. The villa, with its striking pink paintwork, overlooks the port of Durres.
Monument to the defenders of the harbor. On the other side of the avenue stands a large monument. The monument looks like some twisted staircase or like a fan. There is a warrior standing on top, seawards, and shooting toward the sky. This is another monument celebrating those many Albanians that have given their life for the defense of their country.
Fathi Djami (Mosque of the Conqueror) was built in 1502 as a hommage to sultan Mehmet II. It was built in a place where was a Byzantine church. In 1979, it was damaged by an earthquake while it was no longer in use. It has now been repaired and is in excellent condition.
