Durres – Albania

History

Durrësi developed during the period between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, becoming a major trading centre and port on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. Craftsmanship developed and roads, libraries, aqueducts and odeons were built, including the Amphitheatre. At the end of the 3rd century, Durrës became the centre of the province of New Epirus and in the 4th century, despite the crisis affecting the rest of the Roman Empire, it remained a developed trading centre. During the 5th and 6th centuries, it was an important city in the western part of the Byzantine Empire and withstood the attacks of Ostrogoths and other barbarians. Under the rule of Anastas, who was born in the city, many new buildings sprang up, such as the hippodrome, two surrounding city walls, and the Basilica of Arapajt. Durrës was also an Episcopal centre.

Between the 10th and 14th centuries, the city was subject to a series of attacks (by the Bulgarians between 989 and 1005; by the Normans, in 1082 and 1083, who then set it ablaze in 1185; by Venice in 1205, from whom the Duchy of Durrës was created; by Charles of Anjou in 1272, who established the Kingdom of Arbëria with Durrës as its capital; and by the Serbs at the beginning of the 14th century). In the 14th century, Durrës was Albania’s largest city, with around 25,000 inhabitants. In 1368, it was taken by Karl Topia and became the centre of the Principality of Arbëria. In 1392, the city, now known as Durrazzo, returned to Venetian rule. It was besieged by Mehmet II and the Ottoman army in 1466 but was not taken by them until 1501, by which time the city had been devastated by centuries of attacks. Nevertheless, it retained its importance as a natural harbour and, with its links into the hinterland and along the Via Egnatia to Thessalonica and Constantinople (Byzantium), linking East with West, it began to recover.

Its citizens participated in the Albanian national liberation movement, during the years 1878–1881 and again in 1910–1912. On November 21st 1912, Ismail Qemali landed in the port and on November 26th the Albanian flag of independence was raised in the city, but which was subsequently captured by Serbs three days later. The Serbs remained until May, 1913. On March 7th 1913, Durrës became the capital of Albania. In 1916 it was captured by Austro-Hungarian forces, and in 1918 by Italian forces.

After World War I, in December, 1918, a national congress was held in Durrës and a temporary administration of the city was appointed, but this fell in January, 1920, after the Congress of Lushnja. During 1939, it was the centre of resistance to the Italian Fascist forces that had occupied the country. In August, 1943, the city was taken by the Germans, who blew up the port the following year.

After World War II, Durrës was transformed into an industrial city, and it became an important cultural and educational centre.Durrës was the scene of many demonstrations during the democratic movement of 1990–1991.  Durrës has many parks and gardens, and an outdoor theatre has been built on the hills above the city. Its main recreational areas are Durrës Beach and Currila. Beach, where citizens and tourists enjoy the sea and yellow sand of the Adriatic

Geographical position

Durrësi lies in a coastal longitude of 30 miles. Being link of marine and terrestrial connections, Durrës has played always an important role in the geopolitical development of the region. Including the surroundings, Durrësi occupies 432 km2 of Albanian territory. In the northeast and east it meets Tirana districts and in the south ic bordered by Kavaja district. The western coast is gets wet by Adriatic sea.  The coastal line lies from the embouchure of Ishmi river, till at the stream of  Agait, near of Rock of Kavaja.

The relief of Durrësi belongs to the hilly-field kind, 89 m on the sea level, while at the city this level goes to 2 m high. The system of the hills curls from Rodoni cape, till in Durrësi mountain (178 m high).

Climate

Durrësit region belong to the subtropical climate, with soft winter and dry hot sumer. The hottest month is July and the coldest, is January. The nature of the zone is recommended for the family tourist destination, because of the sandy long beach, very suitable for the children. You may use light clothes during all the spring-summer period. For the winter, except the normal winter clothes, don’t forget to take with you the gloves and the cowls because Durrësi is next to the sea and the wind on the winter is very strong.

Transport

Durrësi lies 38 km far from Tirana, about 36 km from “Mother Tereza” airport, 126 km from Shkodra, 222 km from Kukësi and 170 km far from custom of  the Pass of Thana (Macedonia). In Durrës you may enter from the harbor, which links the country with four coastal cities of Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Ancona dhe Trieste, from the air, through the airport of Rinas “Mother Teresa” and from all the terrestrial points of the customs in Albania (see: How to reach Albania).

Durrësi has one of the oldest harbors in Europe and it is also one of the most important bridges of Balkan Peninsula, which link the East with West.

It has been defined as an entrance for the 8-th Corridor which starts from Albania and goes through Macedonia, Bulgaria and arrives to Varnas harbor in the Black Sea.

Also the harbor is the biggest of the country and overcomes over than 85% of import-export of the Albanian economy and human transport.

The transport in Durrës is private and public. It offers city lines and intercity ones. The station for the interline is located near of railway station, while the urban bus goes through all arteries of the city and surroundings.

Durrësi  is also the first city in Albania  which has been equipped with railway line. It has been constructed during the second War from the prime minister of the époque Shefqet  Vërlaci (according to historic facts) but started to work only in 1947, after some last adjustments made from the government of Enver Hoxha. It was 43 km long and use to connect Durrës with Peqini town.