Map: David Dehnert 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. possible. Antigonea ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK Map: Map: David Dehnert Points of Interest 17 Dwelling and public building (3rd - 2nd Central excavation area David Dehnert Contact (see numbers on the map) the ocean), voting identification cards and 14 cent. BC). A dwelling of peristyle form was bronze tablets with the name of the city on Antigonea Archaeological Park discovered next to the medieval church during Antigonea Archaeological Park them. It is at this house that the mysterious the excavations of 1986, measuring 18 m by Asim Zeneli Village, Commune of Antigonea 8.5 m. Based on its location in the center of the Gjirokastra, Albania 1 Remnants of the Fortified Wall (beginning bronze figurine of a harpy was found which of the 3rd cent. BC) can be seen stretching has become the symbol of Antigonea. In Greek town, its architecture and the lack of objects Tel/Fax +355 (8829) 3155 for daily use, this building is assumed to be a ANTIGONEA up the hill on the top of a steep slope. Its view mythology, a harpy (“snatcher”) was one of the Archaeological Park [email protected], www.antigonea.com public building or a villa. is particularly good from the Acropolis. winged spirits best known for constantly steal- ing all food from the prophet Phineas. They 18 Christian church from the Byzantine Pe riod, built between the 7th - 9th cent. AD Ancient Nymphaeum of the Acropolis (be- were usually seen as personifications of the 2 with stones and columns from ancient houses. ginning of the 3rd cent. BC). A Nym- sapping nature of wind. phaeum was a spring and the sacred dwell- The medieval church of the IX-XI centuries has a single nave measuring 11 m by 3.5 m. Thir- ing place of its female spirit (nymph). It was 9 Dwelling with peristyle and floor covered teen tombs were discovered in the cemetery rimmed and used to provide water. with a mosaic (beginning of 3rd cent. BC). next to the church, with partial inventories. In Greek and Roman architecture, a peristyle Church of Shen Mëhill (Saint Michael) (6th 19 Large block of peristyle houses in various 3 is an open colonnade surrounding a court or models. This part of the town, with its - 9th cent. AD). Measuring 8 m x 7.3 m garden inside a building. Discoveries: ceramics, and composed of two sections, it was discov- houses and channels, displays almost in full bronze objects and coins. the urban development of the city. The objects ered in 1973 at the highest point on the hill of This mapguide was produced in cooperation with the Ministry of in this block (all of them from the first half of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports and the Antigonea Archaeological Park the Acropolis. Construction materials have been 10 Ancient old fountain head. (Date unknown) the 3rd cent. AD) are an Artisan’s House, a taken from the Acropolis’ defensive walls. Weaver’s House, the Measuring Stone and an 11 Monumental tomb (3rd - 2nd cent. BC). above-ground drainage system. Ceramic dishes 4 Defensive Fortification of the Acropolis (be Ancient grave of the Macedonian type con- for daily use, ceramic roof tiles, artisan work ginning of the 3rd cent. BC). The fortifica- sisting of two settings that are connected to tools, counterweights for loom threads, bronze tion is formed by three defensive belts of walls each other. The walls had been plastered, the coins, bronze decorative items and agricultural narrowing up to the peak of the hill. The ex- ceiling is a vault structure created with an arch. work tools have been found here. within the framework of the UN Joint Programme, “Culture and terior wall belt has been formed by defensive Discovered during the excavations in 2005. The buildings of this block vary based on their Heritage for Social and Economic Development”, funded by walls and seven reinforced towers. Hypothetical reconstruction type and function: Discoveries made include ceramics and bronze of the peristyle house the Spanish Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund Dwellings with a rectangle peristyle, sur- Dwelling (Leather Workshop) (second half objects. 5 rounded by spaces for living and economic of 3rd cent. BC). Discovered during ar- activity. chaeological excavations in 1968, it is a dwell- 12 Main Gate, or Great Gate, of the Ancient ing with an irregular floor plan consisting of a City with two fortified towers (3rd - 2nd Dwellings with a courtyard and a gate placed on either one or both sides of the courtyard. corridor and five sections of various functions. cent. BC). Discoveries: Traces of the installation Discoveries made here include ceramics, such of two moving wings of the Great Gate. A dwelling with a narrow hall in the middle and in cooperation with as pithoi, kitchen dishes, bricks, bronze dishes and spaces positioned on either side. Stoa with beautiful multi-cornered wall and iron work tools which are thought to have 13 The measuring stone Dwellings which have their courtyard located (beginning of the 3rd cent. BC). Located been used for treating leather. at one corner of the house. approximately 250 m away from the main The labeling of these houses is based on their We are grateful to U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers Allan Zaretsky Fragments of the Surrounding Fortified defensive wall of the city to the South. Dis- 6 function - defined through the tools and other and Seth Pyenson for their help in realizing this mapguide. Walls (beginning of 3rd cent. BC). Remnants coveries include ceramics and coins. There objects found there: of the northern gate with two towers. used to be a Nymphaeum in the vicinity. The craftsman’s house, measuring 35 m x 15 Archaeological Map: Albanian-Greek Archaeological Mission m, with a surface of 335 m2, dates back to the Dwelling (Carriage Driver’s House) (second Palaeo - Christian Basilica (a triconch Photos: Alket Islami, Engjëllush Serjani, 7 14 The Southern Fortification System (3rd – The Agora (market place) and Main Stoa Archaeological excavation second half of the 3rd century BC. Discoveries church) with a unique, multi-colored 15 16 UN Joint Programme Team (Stephan Doempke) half of the 3rd cent. BC). Discoveries made 2nd cent. BC) is a linear structure of 800 (roofed promenade) (2nd - 3rd cent. BC) here include bronze dishes, iron tools such as here include a wagon wheel, coins etc. mosaic (5th – 6th cent. AD). The layout of meters, with five defensive towers and the small has a rectangular plan of 59.6 m by 8.6 m an axe, cleaver, scythe, rusted bronze and iron, numerous coins, the bronze Figures: Oliver Gilkes, UNESCO the building is a triconch (having three apses Southern Gate. It was the most significant de- and had been decorated with columns in Doric handle of a dish in the shape of a sphinx figurine, ceramics, etc. Because 8 Dwelling (second half of the 3rd cent. BC). on the sides of the central square area of the fensive section of the city’s fortification system style. A unique drainage channel crosses it. In of the rusted metals and other discoveries, this house was judged to be the The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this Residential house with an L-shaped floor church), measuring 13.8 m in length and 4.6 and dates back to the beginning of the 3rd 1987 bronze figurines of Poseidon and a Mollos house of a craftsman. publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of plan, consisting of an atrium and five alcoves. Dog, and bronze fragments of a monumental UNDP or UNESCO concerning the topic of this publication. m in width. The basilica is composed of two century BC. The style used in its construction 20 A natural cave is situated in the rocky eastern hill which in antiquity The discoveries made here in 1968 have been is “isodomic” (regular, almost quadratic stone blocks in horizontal lines). statue of a horseman (helmet, horse mane and meaningful and in large numbers: bronze parts: the main hall and the altar section, which served as a natural defense, partly reinforced by a polygonal wall. The five towers were comprised of two metallic constructions reinforced horseman’s hand with a ring on its finger) have According to ancient writers, the cave was used as a shelter by residents Design: Delta Print, Tel. (04) 2244-701, [email protected] dishes, work tools, bronze and silver coins, clay the three apses. It was discovered during the been found here. stamps, a mini-statuette of Poseidon (god of excavations of 1974. through crossbeams. They were built in the shape of rectangles more than during attacks from invaders and today is considered a historical site. Drawing of the mosaic floor in the basilica 6 m high and wide, in a distance of 60 m from each other. © Antigonea Archaeological Park 2009