Durrës

Durrës
Name	Durrës
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	41, 18, 48, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Albania
Subdivision type1	County
Subdivision name1	Durrës County
Subdivision type2	Municipality
Subdivision name2	Durrës
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Emiriana Sako
Area total km2	46.3
Population total	113,249
Population as of	2011
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	CET
Utc offset	+1
Timezone DST	CEST
Utc offset DST	+2
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	2000
Area code	(0)52
Blank name	Vehicle registration
Blank info	DR

Durrës. Located on the central Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Balkans and a major economic and cultural hub. Founded as Epidamnos by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra around 627 BC, its strategic position has made it a pivotal port throughout history. Today, it is the second-largest city in Albania and a key center for tourism, industry, and transport.

History

The city's foundation as Epidamnos is noted by the historian Thucydides and its subsequent development was marked by conflict, including the Peloponnesian War. Renamed Dyrrhachium under Roman rule, it became a vital terminus of the Via Egnatia, connecting it to Constantinople. The city prospered as part of the Byzantine Empire and was contested by the Bulgarian Empire, the Normans under Robert Guiscard, and later the Angevin Kingdom of Naples. In the early 15th century, it came under the control of the Republic of Venice before falling to the Ottoman Empire in 1501. During the First World War, it served as the capital of the short-lived Principality of Albania and was the site of intense fighting, including the Battle of Durazzo. In the modern era, it was a focal point during the Balkan Wars and experienced significant damage from an earthquake in 2019.

Geography

Situated on a small peninsula on the Adriatic Sea, the city features the expansive Durrës Bay and the Port of Durrës, the largest seaport in Albania. The area is characterized by flat, coastal plains with sandy beaches like Durrës Beach, which stretch for kilometers. The Ishëm River flows north of the city, and the region is part of the larger Western Lowlands geographical zone. The climate is typical of the Mediterranean Basin, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Albanian census, the city proper had a population of 113,249, while the broader municipality is home to over 175,000 people. It is a predominantly Albanian-speaking area, with historical communities including Greeks, Aromanians, and Romani people. The majority of residents adhere to Islam, with significant minorities following Albanian Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. The city has experienced substantial internal migration since the 1990s, attracting people from regions like Northern Albania and Kosovo.

Economy

The economy is dominated by the Port of Durrës, which handles the majority of the country's maritime trade and is a key link to ports like Trieste and Bari. Tourism is a major industry, centered around the beaches and archaeological sites. The city hosts significant industrial operations, including the Durrës Shipyard, a Yazaki wiring systems factory, and processing plants for agricultural products. It is also a center for the banking and telecommunications sectors, with companies like Vodafone Albania and One Albania maintaining a strong presence.

Culture and landmarks

The city's rich history is visible in landmarks such as the Durrës Amphitheatre, one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in the Balkans, and the Venetian Tower along the ancient Durrës Castle walls. The Archaeological Museum of Durrës houses artifacts from the Illyrians, Greek, and Roman periods. Cultural institutions include the Aleksandër Moisiu Theatre and the annual Durrës International Film Festival. The city is the seat of the Aleksandër Moisiu University and is known for its vibrant summer nightlife along the waterfront.

Transport

The city is the central node of Albania's transport network. The Port of Durrës offers ferry connections to Ancona, Bari, and Koper. It is connected to the capital, Tirana, by the A1 motorway and the Durrës–Tirana railway, the country's busiest rail line. The city's main station is Durrës Railway Station. Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, the nation's primary airport, is located approximately 30 kilometers away. Local transport is served by an extensive network of buses and minibuses.

Category:Populated places in Durrës County Category:Port cities and towns in Albania Category:Ancient Greek archaeological sites in Albania