Durrës
Second city of Albania with 2,500 years of history.
Durrës is the second most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Durrës County and Durrës Municipality. It is one of Albania's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with roughly 2,500 years of recorded history, located on a flat plain along the Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast between the mouths of the Erzen and Ishëm.
- Founded
- Around the 7th century BC
- Original Name
- Epidamnos
- Alternative Ancient Name
- Dyrrachium
- Country
- Republic of Albania
- Population Rank
- Second most populous city
- Climate
- Seasonal Mediterranean
- Notable Landmark
- Amphitheatre of Durrës
Lore & Background
Durrës was founded under the name Epidamnos around the 7th century BC by ancient Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra in cooperation with the Taulantii, a local Illyrian tribe. Also known as Dyrrachium, it became an integral part of the Roman Empire and its successor the Byzantine Empire. The Via Egnatia started in the city and led east to Constantinople. In the Middle Ages, Durrës was contested between Bulgarians, Venetians, local Albanian noble families, and the Ottoman Empire, which ruled for more than 400 years from 1501 until 1912. After the Albanian Declaration of Independence, the city served as the capital of the Principality of Albania for a short period. It was annexed by the Kingdom of Italy in the interwar period and occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II. Under the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Durrës experienced strong expansion in demography and economic activity.
Reader's Guide
Durrës holds a leading economic position in Albania due to its transport connections, concentration of economic institutions, and industrial tradition. It is served by the Port of Durrës, one of the largest on the Adriatic Sea, connecting the city to other neighbouring countries. Its most considerable attraction is the Amphitheatre of Durrës, once having a capacity for 20,000 people, making it the largest amphitheatre in the Balkan Peninsula; it is included on the Albanian tentative list for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's name evolved from ancient Epidamnos and Dyrrachium, with the modern Albanian name Durrës derived from Dyrrachium/Dyrrachion. The city's history reflects layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influence, and its continuous habitation for roughly 2,500 years makes it a key site for understanding the region's past.
Did You Know?
- Durrës was founded under the name Epidamnos around the 7th century BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra with the Taulantii.
- The Via Egnatia, a major Roman road, started in Durrës and led east to Constantinople.
- The Amphitheatre of Durrës once held 20,000 people and is the largest amphitheatre in the Balkan Peninsula.
- The modern name Durrës derives from the ancient Dyrrachium/Dyrrachion, preserving the old Doric Greek pronunciation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Durrës?
Durrës is the second most populous city in the Republic of Albania and serves as the administrative seat of both Durrës County and Durrës Municipality. It has been continuously inhabited for roughly 2,500 years, making it one of the oldest living cities in the country.
What role does Durrës play within the territory?
As the seat of both the county and the municipality, Durrës functions as the primary administrative and demographic center of its region. Its position on a flat coastal plain between the Erzen and Ishëm river mouths has long made it a natural hub for settlement and Adriatic trade.
What is Durrës's original name and when was it founded?
The settlement was established around the 7th century BC under the Greek name Epidamnos. It later went by the Latin form Dyrrachium before eventually adopting the modern name Durrës.
Why is Durrës considered important?
With approximately 2,500 years of unbroken recorded history, Durrës represents one of the longest continuous urban traditions in Albania. Its rank as the nation's second-largest city gives it outsized cultural and demographic weight within the territory.
Where exactly is Durrës located and what is its climate?
The city sits on a flat plain along the Albanian Adriatic coast, positioned between the mouths of the Erzen and Ishëm rivers. It experiences a seasonal Mediterranean climate, a setting that has supported its continuous habitation since antiquity.
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