Apollonia represents one of the most important archaeological sites of Albania. The most interesting objects to be visited are the magnificent wall of Agonothetes II Century B.C. - Pojan Monastery is not far away from the ancient town of Apollonia and it is famous for the beautiful St. Mary's Chapel. This is an ancient monastery and was reconstructed by the Byzantine Emperor, Andronicus Palaeologus the Second. - Muradie Mosque is a sultan-style mosque, with a dome that was built in the 2nd half of the 16th century. The design and construction of this mosque were carried out by Sinan, an architect of Albanian origin who was one of the great mosque builders in the Ottoman Empire. - Oricum is an ancient town that used to be a civilized urban centre and has various archaeological ruins, such as part of an Orchestra, a small theatre, which is thought to have seated 400 spectators, traces of wall ruins and streets that are clearly seen, albeit lying under the water of the lagoon, and the Marmiroi Church. This is a church of dating back to the early Byzantine period. - Ali Pasha's Castle-Porto Palermo Bay. This is a small castle located on a lovely peninsula in the small tectonic bay of Porto Palermo. Ali Pasha built the castle in honor of his wife Vasiliqi. - Church of St. Stephan, Monastery, Church of Panajia (Dhërmi). The village of Dhërmi goes back to at least the first century B.C. The village used to have 31 churches. The icons of the Church of St. Stephen were painted on the 18th century. The church is a place of pilgrimage every mid-August when religious rites are performed on the day of St. Mary. Between Tirana and Vlora there is the district of Fier, which boasts different historical sites with great interest. The most important are: - Historic Museum in Fier - Archaeological site of Bylis, in Hekal village BERAT It known as “the city of one-thousand windows” and is declared as a museum city. It is on the slopes of the Tomorri mount where the castle of the city rises in a predominant hill. Inside its walls there are dwelling houses and the “Onufri Museum”. Paintings and icons by the outstanding Albanian painter are also exhibited there. The old part of the city has some religious buildings like churches and mosques. What to see: - The Museum of Iconography “Onufri” - The Museum of Ethnography - The Castle of Berat is a fortress overlooking the town. There are fourteen churches inside the castle, which have made this castle very famous. One of them is the Church of St. Triadha, dating back to the end of the thirteenth century and beginning of the fourteenth century. Very interesting frescoes are found inside it. Behind the Church of St. Todri, there are the churches of St. Kolli, St. Constantine, St. Helen, St. Mary Vllaherna, and others. - Ruins of the White Mosque. Its internal walls are found inside the castle of Berat. They are built on the foundations of Illyrian walls, followed by reconstructions in Byzantine and Ottoman style. - The Church of Saint Mehilli, (Michael) is well known for combining European and Byzantine construction techniques; - The Church of Saint Triadha (Trinity). Speculations are that the chapel might have been built on the foundations of the ruins of a pagan temple. The temple was built to honor the goddess Artemis, from which the present name Ardenicë derives. DURRES The principal port of Durres is the second largest city of Albania. The city was colonized by the colonists from Corinth and Korkyra in 627 B.C. It was named Epidamnus, which later became Dyrrachium. The most important object is the amphitheatre, the largest in Balkan with 15,000 seats, dating back to the 2nd century AD and containing an Early Christian crypt with a rare wall mosaics . Between the 1st and 3rd centuries Durres was an important port and trading centre on the Via Egnatia trading route, between Rome and Byzantuim (Istanbul). After a great number of earthquakes, much of ancient Durres sank into the sea or collapsed and was subsequently built over. Today the city is well known for the nearby beach resort of Durres and its sandy beaches and warm sea waters. What to see: - The Archaeological Museum - The Amphitheater, partially excavated starting since 1960, has a seating capacity between 15.000-20.000 people and is situated on the middle of the modern city; - Byzantine Forum - Venetian Torra (small castle open as a bar) - Ancient city wall - The Exhibition of Folk Culture - The mosaic of Arapaj, Arapaj village (it can be opened only with special permit) KRUJA Kruja is a medieval town near Tirana. The name of Kruja is closely connected with the name of the National Hero, George Kastriot Scanderbeg, who fought against the Ottomans for 25 years in succession, defending European civilization from their threat in the 15th century. At a prominent and strategic place near the city, there is a castle, within is housed the Scanderbeg Museum (National Museum). On the way to the castle there is a medieval bazaar. What to see: - Museum of Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg - Ethnographic Museum - Archaeological site of Albanopoli, in village of Zgerdhesh - Traditional Bazaar. KORCA Is the largest city of south eastern part of Albania. It is situated at the foot of Morava Mountain on a plateau 800 m above sea level. It became an important trading and handicraft centre in the 18th century due to the development of trade with neighbouring regions. The museum for Medieval Art is in Korça. It presents the spiritual and material culture of the Albanian people. There are also the Museum of Education, where the first Albanian School were opened in 1878 and the new museum of “Bratko Collections” with antiquaries from the Far East. What to see: - The Museum of Medieval Arts - The Gallery “ Guri Madhi” - The “Bratko” Museum of antiquaries and collections from Far East - National Museum of Education - The Archaeological Museum - Watering Greensward (a suite place for emigrants, where young ladies use to shed tears).