Antigonea Archaeological Park Among Other Young Princes to Marry Antigone
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Map: David Dehnert David gentle in life”, as Plutarch wrote, he was selected of fortified cities on the mountaintops, so typical for the ancient cities of constructed in ancient Antigonea. It was likely destroyed huge bulk of tiles and pithoi were Antigonea Archaeological Park among other young princes to marry Antigone. present-day Albania, be studied in a more exemplary way. in the Slavic invasions of the 6th century. found in the excavations and indi- The National Archaeological Park of Antigonea was legally established This marriage further appraised the figure cate a large production of pottery. in 2005 and covers an area of about 92ha (core zone). Together with and good name of Pyrrhos. Due also to the Antigonea, the city that was built by Also discovered in Antigonea were the parks of Shkoder Castle, Lezha, Apollonia, Byllis, Amantia, Orikum, aid of his prudent wife, Pyrrhos managed to an order of Pyrrhos in honor of over 500 coins, most of which Finiqi and Butrint, it forms Albania’s system of archaeological parks. collect money and an army, and start off his wife Antigonea as a sign Antigonea has had an administration office since 2007 and employs towards Epirus to reclaim the throne. of love, was burned in Pithoi interred in the six staff. tanner’s house one night on the order Antigonea, the second city of the ancient of the Roman general are from Epirus How to get there You can reach Antigonea Archaeo- Epirote province of Kaonia after Phoinike Aemilius Paullus out of re- and others from logical Park by car (4WD recom- (Finiqi), both in size and importance, controlled Ambrakia (Arta), Albanian Mapguides Antigonea’s ancient street system venge and as a sign of hatred, mended) within about one hour Kerkyra (Corfu), Antigonea, the City of Pyrrhos’ Dream the famous Via Egnatia connecting Dyrrachium having flourished not even two centuries. from Gjirokastra. From the main (Durres), Apollonia and Oricum with the high- Macedonia, Dyr- square in Asim Zeneli, a signpost- A brief history lands of Ioannina and Southern Epirus. Due to its Antigonea is distinguished from other ancient cities through its quadran- Archaeological evidence rachium (Durres), ed hiking trail leads to the Park in important geographic position at a dominant point on the hill of Jerma, gular and regular urban plan, similar to many Hellenistic cities of Greece. Apollonia, Oricum, about 2 hours. Antigonea was founded by Pyrrhos, the King of the Molossians, in the in the middle of the Drinos Valley, Antigonea has been recognized as For the first time in the ancient cities of Europe, urban and architectural Antigonea represents its challenging history Corinth, etc. These Opening hours year 295 BC. The Molossians were one of the three tribes of Epirus (in representing the climax of an unprecedented development. elements have been revealed that provide an idea of city planning, in- with remnants from the 3rd to the 2nd numismatic finds clearly indicate close trade relations Weekdays 8:00 – 16:00h today’s southern Albania and northern Greece), which grew to a strong dicating that Antigonea had indeed been created upon decree, and not century BC, and some buildings which be- between Antigonea and other Hellenistic cities and Saturdays and Sundays 8:30 – 15:30h state in this period. Antigonea de- The Drinos Valley, both because of its fertility and its strategic importance, developed over time. long to the initial period of Christianity. It is states. We accept visitors outside the opening hours only with veloped as an important economic, was an early population center, witnessed by about 20 ancient cities and not always easy to determine the ancient special written authorization by the Park director and social, cultural and political center, fortifications, monumental barrows and tombs, ancient temples and Some small rural settlements identified outside the name of the ruins of a city, but a number Trade relations are also reflected in various items accompanied by Park staff. and at the end of the 3rd century theaters. Without doubt, Antigonea has been surrounding walls, and agricultural tools discovered in of round cards made of imported from Greece, such as black-glazed and in the beginning of the 2nd the main center of the valley between Selo the excavations such as millstones and pithoi (large bronze with the in- ceramics, amphora from Rhodes etc., through Entrance fee 200 Albanian Lek century BC took shape as a polis of Upper Dropull near the Greek border in pottery jars for storing liquids), show that the city had scription “ANTIGONEON” are the first epigraphic routes like the famous Via Egnatia and others 100 AL for schoolchildren, students and disabled persons (city-state) and one of the most im- the south to Hadrianopolis and Melan and up which passed along the coast. a well-developed agricultural territory, something that the documents allowing safe identification. Free entrance every last Sunday of the month, except dur- portant settlements of antiquity. to Lekël at the northern end of the valley. region is still famous for till this day. The largest part of the inventory of archaeo- ing June, July and August Archaeological expeditions have excavated a logical findings Tickets can be bought at the Park Administration Office at The city was called Anti- The ancient city of Antigonea is situated in a spectacular In the year 198 BC, Roman legions vanquished the army of Philip V, the great number of articles for daily needs made of the main square of Asim Zeneli village or at the Park gate. of Antigonea is gonea by Pyrrhos after his location on the top of a ridge in the form of a dolphin, King of Macedonia, near Antigonea. As geographer Strabo reports, in 167 metal or clay. The rich inventory related to handi- preserved today first wife, the daughter of overlooking the entire Drinos Valley, surmounted by two BC Antigonea and 70 other cities of Epirus were ruined by the legions of crafts and agriculture indicates that these sectors played Services King Pyrrhos in the National The mini-museum offers exhibitions about excavations the Macedonian nobles Berenice peaks connected with each other by a narrow pass. Aemilius Paullus who took revenge for the damages inflicted on Italy by an important role in the economic life of the city. Artifacts found include Historical Museum and other activities of the Park, and you can buy some and Philip. Later Berenice married Ptolemy, the King of Egypt and The urban surface of the city within and out- the Pyrrhic War. The later existence of the city is attested only by a small scythes, hooks, chisels, adzes, hammers, compasses and different and in the Archaeo- souvenirs there. successor of Alexander the Great, in the court of whom Pyrrhos got side the fortified walls is estimated to have chapel. Its floor was decorated with a mosaic donated by local inhabitants, vessels made of bronze decorated with logical Museum of Tirana. acquainted with Antigone. Besides his wife, Pyrrhos honored also his been about 60 ha. showing Abraxas, an eastern demon fighter, with a cockrels head, in battle figurines of animals or mythological Your support is needed! mother-in-law Berenice by naming after her a city in Epirus. against the powers of darkness represented beings such as Poseidon, the Sphinx What’s more to see nea. Three basilicas in the Please help to keep the Park in good condition. Do not The city was surrounded by solid walls by a snake. The church was the last building or sirens. At least part of these objects in Antigonea? neighboring villages testify litter and prepare to take all your waste out of the Park When Pyrrhos was 17 years old, according to the ancient historian about 4,000 m in length, protecting is of local production, which is proven to the outset of Christianity, with you. In the commune of Antigonea you Do not step on the ruins or lean against the columns. Plutarch, an uprising overthrew him as king. He was placed under the city from all sides, especially in the by the workshops where they were found. and the monastery of Erem can get in touch with all historic in Spile, with Saint Nicola It is strictly forbidden to make fire in the Park. the custody of King Demeter of southern and western parts where the Other branches, such as tanning leather, periods of mankind from prehistory Church, is evidence of the Macedonia and later was sent danger was greater because of the nature of the carving stones, woodcraft etc. were de- to modern times. While the caves of era of Byzantium. The Otto- As of the time of printing, Antigonea Archaeological Park does not to the court of Ptolemy. “Since terrain. The fortifying walls and those of most of the veloped as well. Numerous and varied Spile and Ladovishtë indicate that man period has left its traces provide any visitor services except a toilet, and you are advised to Pyrrhos was artful to absorb houses discovered until now are made of large and examples of ceramics for daily use, artis- the area has been populated from through the architecture of 17th - 18th century houses in Tranoshishtë, bring your own supplies of food and drinks. powerful people and to hate medium size blocks of limestone extracted from quarries tic objects, molds for their production, a the earliest times, the greatness of and the trends of the communist period can be seen in the agricultural We are making continuing efforts to make your stay as enjoyable as cowards, while being kind and on Lunxhëria Mountain. Nowhere else can the establishment antiquity is represented by Antigo- cooperative villages named after partisans Arshi Lengo and Asim Zeneli.