Summer Flight Timetable for Flights to Albania
(Version 5 Effective 05 March 2021)
TOP HISTORIC DESTINATIONS
Butrint
The first Albanian site to be included on UNESCO’s World Heritage was Butrint, in the south of the country, in 1992. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was a part of the Greek and Roman colonies.
Later, it experienced a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, which was followed by a short period of Venetian rule and the eventual abandonment of the city in late medieval times. The present state of the archaeological site shows traces of all the time periods the city has gone through.
The most ancient objects found at the archeological site in Butrint are a stone hammer and a shaft belonging to the second half of the second millennium B.C.
Hekateus made first mention of the city at the end of the sixth century B.C., affirming that the city was built according to Troy and that the origin of the name refers to the sacrifice of a bull, Buthrotos, provided by the Trojan prince Aeneas on his way to Dodona. During its early period, Butrint was the center of the Kaonic tribes, later to become part of the kingdom of Epirus.
In the years 1926-1936 the Italian archeologist Luigi Ugolini led excavations in southern Albania, focusing his work in Butrint and Finiq, where he discovered the baptistery, the theater, the basilica, the public baths, the gymnasium , the temple to Minerva , Skea gate and Lion gate of the ancient walls and castle , many houses, and a great number of objects and sand statues of inestimable value.
The most extraordinary objects discovered in the theater of Butrint are the statue of Apollo, the goddess of Butrint, the marble heads of Zeus, the portrait of Agrippina, the head of Livia and many Latin and Greek epigraphs. Parts of the city were rebuilt during the fifth century B.C.
Other monuments of Butrint are the castle of Vivari channel constructed during Ali Pashe Tepelena time , the triangle castle also constructed by him and the Venetian tower constructed in the time when Venetians controlled the access to this area .
Kruje Castle
Krujë Castle has proudly stood on top of a rocky cliff, high above its city, for the last fifteen centuries. It has witnessed the long turbulent history of this place, which was once the centre of Arbëria (Albania’s ancient name). At a time when the Ottoman Empire ruled over a large swathe of Europe, including Constantinople and the Balkans, this castle remained undefeated for thirty-five years, thanks to Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg, the legendary Albanian hero who defended its walls until his death.
Following Skanderbeg’s revolt against the Ottomans in 1443, this castle weathered many persistent attacks from the Ottoman army. For a long time, it seemed that these attacks made the castle’s walls and Skanderbeg’s army of three-thousand men only more impenetrable. However, in 1478, ten years after Skanderbeg’s death, the castle fell to Sultan Mehmed II. Erected as early as the 5th century, this castle had clearly weathered many storms prior to these events, but it is this particular part of history that imbues it with a certain kind of majesty. Albanians identify with this castle’s story, finding there the perseverance of a small but mighty force.
Among the ruins within the castle walls stands the Old Clock Tower, with the same bell that once rung to announce the death of Skanderbeg. This clock, crafted by artisans of the Old Bazaar of Krujë, once coordinated the city’s time: such as the opening and closing hours of the shops, as well as the times of prayer. Near the clock tower stands the National Museum “Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu”, designed by Pirro Vaso and Pranvera Hoxha, part of the architectural team who designed the Pyramid of Tirana. Built in the early 1980s, crowning the castle walls, this recognisable museum structure has become an icon of this city’s skyline. Inside, the exhibits reveal insights into Skanderbeg’s life, his historical victories and achievements, as well as copies of Skanderbeg’s weapons: his recognisable helmet crowned with a goat’s head, and his sword.
Facing the museum, there are the beautiful ruins of a former church, transformed into Sultan Mehmed Fatih’s mosque following the Ottoman occupation. South of the castle, the Ethnographic Museum, housed in a typical 19th-century house, reveals the sustainable methods of food, drink, tools, and furniture production in a typical household, as well as the customs of life in the castle. The Masjid of Dollma is yet another beautiful monument, the pulpit of Muslim faith during the 18th century. Right next to it, the castle’s Turkish bath (hammam) reveals its gorgeous 15th century roof. The 450-year-old Grand Bazaar of Krujë is located on the road heading towards the castle. In its heyday, this bazaar had more than 150 merchants who supplied the castle’s inhabitants. Now, the bazaar sells traditional handmade objects and souvenirs, keeping the legacy of fine craftsmanship alive. The sights are endless in this small yet significant city, symbols of a country’s bravery and persistence throughout the centuries.
Apollonia
Apollonia was an ancient Greek colony city and former bishopric in Illyria , located on the right bank of the Aous river (modern-day Vjosa). Its ruins are situated in the Fier region, near the village of Pojani (Polina), in modern-day Albania.
The ancient city of Apollonia is situated in southwestern Albania, about 13 miles from the city of Fier. The fascinating landscape of the archeological park, which has been preserved in an exceptionally intact condition, comprises a successful combination between the beauty of monuments and nature, attractive through its long history, in an atmosphere of relaxation and meditation. Its foundation took place immediately after the foundation of Epidamnus – Dyrrachium and quickly became one of the most eminent cities of the Adriatic basin, which was mentioned more frequently from the other 30 (thirty) cities bearing the same name during Antiquity.
The city lay in the territory of the political communion of the Taulantii and was broadly known as Apollonia of Illyria. According to the tradition it was founded during the first half of the 6th century BC by Greek colonist from Corfu and Corinth, led by Gylax, which named the city after his name (Gylakeia). After its quick establishment the city changed its name to Apollonia, according to the powerful divinity Apollo. It stands on a hilly plateau from where expands the fertile plain of Musacchia with the Adriatic Sea and the hills of Mallakastra. The ruins of Apollonia are discovered in the beginning of the 19th century.
The city flourished during the 4th century AD as an important economic and trade center. Over time it was expanded over the whole hilly slope including an area of ca. 81 ha, surrounded by a large wall of 3 km of length and 3 m of width. Although Apollonia was situated few kilometers away from the Adriatic Sea, its position on the right bank of the Aoos River (modern Vjosë) enabled its communication with the coastal part of the territory. In the two hilltops dominating the city stands the temenos area (the sacred area around the temple of Apollo) and the Arx (military citadel). Between the two hilltops were situated the public buildings of the ancient city, which continued to experience a period of grandeur and splendor under the successive roman rule (since 229 BC).
The fame of the city attracted many personalities of the largest empire of the ancient world as the eminent roman philosopher and orator Cicero, which noted Apollonia in his Philippics as magna urbs et gravis (a great and important city). During this period the city became one of the most important gateways of the transbalkanic Via Egnatia, while in its famous Academy has studied and underwent military training Octavianus, accompanied by Agrippas, the eminent general and statesman of the Roman Empire. After a long period of continuous economic and cultural development, Apollonia fell into decline until its total abandonment during the medieval period. The culture and the general development of the city maintained a clear Greek character throughout its existence. However, the independent economic and politic activity as well as the close relationships with the Illyrian hinterland determined a distinctive physiognomy of the apollonian culture.
This archaeologic park or site contain also a Museum of Archaeology that is situated at the old Monastery of Saint Mary .
Gjirokaster Castle
Gjirokastra’s castle is one of the biggest in the Balkans. It is situated on the hilltop overlooking the city, witnessing the history of the whole region across the centuries. The date for building this fortification is still unclear. According to archaeologists, the place had been inhabited since IV-V century.
However the first walls of this citadel were built between 12th -13th centuries. According to historians, the decision to build this fortification came after the fall of Hadrianopolis. Some rich families built the castle to feel safe and protect themselves from the war. Then gradually many other families populated it.
J.Kantakuzeni mentioned the name of Gjirokastra for the first time in a document in 1336 (History of Albania 1959). In this document he describes a revolt of Arberi people against Byzantine empire in a city called “Argyrokastron’. In 1419 the ottoman empire occupied the castle and the city. What we see today from the castle dates back in early 19th century. It extends across the 1100-foot-high hillside, like a giant ship made of stone. The name Argyro is linked with the legend of a princess who jumped from a cliff with her little child to escape from ottomans. Soldiers used the castle as a shelter during ottoman empire. However in the period of Ali Pashe Tepelena the castle was reconstructed and expanded in the size it is today.
Petro Korçari, the well-known master, directed the work process . During that time were built 7 towers, some of them 30m high. The work and materials were very qualitative. The castle is still in a good shape. During communism, the castle remained in shadow due to its use as a prison. The prison is now part of the Museum of the Castle, which includes a collections of arms during WWI and WWII, the prison, and a new pavijon of the history of Gjirokastra.
Inside the castle you can see the Clock Tower, a Festival scene, the Castle’s Museum and a superb views over the valley. The castle grounds also house a recovered US Air Force jet with an interesting backstory as to how it got here. Some rumors say that Albanian forces downed the jet during Cold War (1957). Others say that the plane was an American spy jet and was forced to land in Rinas Airport during December 957 after developing mechanical problems and flying off course. The pilot returned to US. The plane now is in the Museum of Arms in Gjirokastra and for a long time has been considered as an American spy plane. This now sounds ridiculous, because of very good relations between Albania and US.
Rozafa Castle
From its ancient Illyrian walls and the medieval ruins of the Balshaj, to the Towers of the Bushatllinj, Rozafa Castle is a monumental testament to the beauty of an everlasting fortress.
Built during Antiquity, enduring the Roman and Ottoman empires, and remaining intact up to the present day, Rozafa Castle has witnessed the dramatic changes of tide over the course Albania’s fascinating history. Needless to say then that this archaeological area is incredibly rich in historical tales. To understand the city of Shkodra, where the castle is located, and indeed the history of the country as a whole, a visit to Rozafa Castle is a must!
Thanks to its memorable legend, which allegorically reveals the history of Albania and its people through a woman’s sacrifice for her child, Rozafa Castle is one of the most symbolic structures of Albania. There are few tales that better describe a small nation’s struggle than this one!
Deriving from the Middle Ages, according to the legend of Rozafat, the construction of the Castle was cursed by the gods, who would demolish each day’s work over night. In order to let castle walls stand, the gods demanded a sacrifice from the family residing within it. Through the manipulative tactics of the oldest brothers, the sacrifice to be made was innocent Rozafa, the youngest bride of the household. Before she was to be buried alive inside the castle walls, Rozafa demonstrated her magnanimity by requesting that half of her body remain exposed so that she could continue nourishing her baby. Inside the castle, you can see a beautiful sculpture of Rozafa’s figure carved inside her wall at the main entrance.
The castle comprises of three main courtyards, making it easily navigable. Once you enter the fortified 15th-century main entrance, you come to a first courtyard, where the 4th-century tract of the Illyrian wall, the oldest structure in the castle grounds, is found. Along the first courtyard, you’ll also find medieval ruins of cisterns, the towers of the Balshaj, and the former Venetian residences.
In the second courtyard are the ruins of the Church of St. Stephen, which is now a mosque, and is certainly deserving some special attention. Originally the church was built in the romantic style commonly found between the 13th and 15th centuries, and was later transformed into the Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, between the 16th and 19th centuries. During this time, the Catholic population abandoned the castle, as the space came to be used as a military base.
Today, the ruins of this church-mosque, which was ultimately abandoned in 1865, symbolize the passage of history that ran through Albania. The third and final courtyard of the castle holds a three-story Venetian building, known as the “Capitol”, which served as the residence of the Venetian ruler. Inside this building, the Castle of Shkodra Museum tells of the 4000-year-old castle, including the most renowned medieval families of the city. Information about the castle is provided in Albanian and English, as well as Braille.
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