Private Walking Tour Visit to Durrës with Licensed Guide

Through old maps, photographs, and locations, You will get to know the urban neighborhood as a result of various cultures, nations, and religions. You will discover the 2nd-century amphitheater, Byzantine, Norman, Venetian, and Ottoman fortifications, as well as the urban planning and architecture of the industrial city era. Furthermore, We will explore the contemporary urban transition of today.

During our tour, we will delve into the history of the construction of the Venetian Tower in Durrës, its building techniques, and its resemblance to other towers along the Adriatic Sea and beyond. We will also explore its historical significance during the Ottoman rule, up to its demilitarization during the early stages of World War II. We'll discuss its utilization throughout the communist regime and up to the last 30 years. Additionally, visitors will be introduced to the recent renovation works financed by the European Commission, transforming this Tower into a multimedia center projecting the city's history. Please note, to access the projection and the elevated balcony, visitors must pay an additional fee, not included in this tour, but entrance to view the interior is included.

The Church of Saint Paul and Saint Astius, nestled amidst the bustling streets of Durres, exudes a quiet reverence. Visitors will become acquainted with the history of the two saints in the city of Durres, as well as with the hidden traces of the former Church of Saint Spiridon, demolished during the communist regime.

The Ottoman Hamam, built in the 17th century, is believed to have been either privately owned or part of government-owned buildings along the seaside promenade. It may have been associated with the White Mosque, located 5 meters west of the Hamam, where today’s Bulevardi Epidamn stands. Visitors, through the building’s traces, will discern remnants of the old road to the Durres Castle. Additionally, they will learn about the steam and heating techniques utilized in this structure.

Along Bulevardi Epidamn, we’ll stroll for 10 minutes, discussing the history and architecture that guided the construction investments of the early residential buildings along this road segment, planned in the first Urban regulatory Plan of 1928. Together, we’ll pause at 2 or 3 local spots for refreshments—a coffee, water, burek, ice cream, or orange juice.

At this point, visitors will familiarize themselves with both traditional Albanian architecture and that of Durres. This house once served as the consulate of England in Durres, the capital after national independence. Today, it awaits the necessary investments after the earthquake damages of 2019, which damaged the Byzantine tower adjacent to the house. This residence carries the history of one of Durres’s most distinguished international theater artists, Aleksander Moisiu.

Fatih Mosque is one of the three oldest mosques in the Republic of Albania. Built in 1501, it stands at the base of the Byzantine wall between two outer towers, shielding its minaret from seaside views and potential sea attacks. Its construction followed the same building materials as the Byzantine walls, utilizing supportive sections of the wall to open up the broad ground floor base of the structure.

Together, we will get by the Amphitheater of Durrës, where we’ll delve into its fascinating history. Exploring the coexistence of this urban structure with the city above it. We’ll learn about its excavation in 1966 by the archaeologist Vangjel Toci and the intriguing secrets it revealed. Lastly, we’ll discover the Government Project aimed at restoring the entire Amphitheater, preserving and highlighting its rich historical layers.

Tucked away amidst the winding streets of Durres, the Church of Saint Lucy exudes an aura of timeless grace. In this church, visitors will delve into the history of its construction and encounter key figures in the city’s governance, reflecting on their spiritual significance. They’ll observe the present condition juxtaposed with the past, notably during the communist era when all religious activities were legally banned.

Freedom Square, one of the city’s earliest squares, was originally designed as a floral garden in the 1928 First Urban Regulatory Plan. It hosts the Municipality and the Grand Mosque. Visitors will delve into its development history from the Ottoman era to pre-World War II and present times. Through this narrative, they’ll grasp the broad urban morphology of the city, which subsequently extended into the various directions of the once-called Varosh neighborhoods.

Durres City Hall, build in 1931, embodies the Italian aesthetic preferences of its time. Notably, its large central balcony, originally used for public speeches in the square, stands out. Following the 1926 earthquake’s destruction of the clock tower, a new public clock was installed atop the new City Hall building. Today, this structure serves as the hub for essential activities of local governance, reflecting its historical significance and enduring importance in the city’s administrative landscape.

Build through investments by local merchants during Italy’s pre-World War II economic dominance, in 1939, its closure and alteration under the communist regime, and subsequent restoration post-1990s, have upheld its spiritual significance for residents - as sign of resitentance and integration in Islam. Frequented extensively, it stands as a symbol of resilience, reflecting Durres’s enduring cultural fabric amidst shifting socio-political tides.

The Palace of Culture in Durres marks the starting point of the Downtown thematic tour, named after the esteemed native artist, Aleksander Moisiu. Erected in 1960, it stands as the Republic of Albania’s inaugural structure of its kind. Here, we’ll delve into the distinct characteristics of Albanian architecture from the 1960s, discerning its influence not only within the city but also across Albania’s landscape.

Discovered by archaeologist Vangjel Toci, the Byzantine forum stands as a priceless gem among Durres’s archaeological discoveries. This urban relic serves as a vital link, enabling us to trace and interpret the city’s developmental transition from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages. Visitors to this site will gain insight into these urban treasures and explore the artifacts showcased within this open forum, offering a glimpse into the vibrant life of the Byzantine period.