Apollonia

Site description
Apollonia,
the city of the Sun
A brief history
The famous Roman orator Cicero, astonished by the beauty of
Apollonia, called it in his Philippicae: Magna Urbs et Gravis – “a
great and important city”. Established in the 7th century BC, by
Greek settlers from Corinth and Corcyra in the territories of Illyrian
Taulantis, the ancient city is located 12 km west of the modern
city of Fier.
Archaeological excavations have revealed that Apollonia
achieved its zenith in the 4th - 3rd centuries BC. In the 1st century
BC, Octavian Augustus was studying philosophy there until he
heard the news of Caesar’s murder in the Senate, later going on
to become the first Roman Emperor.
The city had a 4-km long surrounding wall, encircling an area
of 137 ha. It has been estimated that during the developed
stages of the city 60,000 inhabitants lived inside its imposing walls.
The most interesting monuments to visit are the Bouleterion (city
council), the library, the triumphal arch, the temple of Artemis,
the Odeon built in the 2nd century BC, the two-storied, 77-m long
Stoa, a theater with a capacity of ca. 10,000 spectators, and the
Nymphaeum (a monumental water fountain covering an area of
2000 m2), which has been visited by the Roman emperor Sulla, as
ancient sources indicate.
In the 3rd-4th centuries AD, Apollonia suffered great
destruction from several earthquakes, which were followed by
the southwards shifting of the nearby Vjosa (Aoos) river. Being
deprived by its port facilities and damaged by earthquakes and
Gothic invasions, Apollonia went into a rapid decline, losing all
its grandeur from the past. Today the site can be approached
easily from the modern city of Fier and offers unique views over
the Adriatic Sea and the hinterland.
Apollonia is nowadays the largest archaeological park in
Albania, encompassing a surface of ca. 750 ha. The ancient
city was established at the beginning of the 7th century BC by
colonists arriving from Ancient Corinth and Corfu. Positioned in the
lands of the Illyrian Taulantii, Apollonia became the first city of the
Mediterranean world that took the name of the god Apollo. Given
its position in the landscape, the preservation of its monuments and
its geographical position, Apollonia today still boasts a magical
atmosphere that was highly sought after by Roman aristocrats. In
this city, Octavius (before becoming Rome’s emperor) conducted
his studies, while the Apollonian School of Arts was well known
throughout the Mediterranean.
Apart from the ancient city with its theater, monumental center,
two stoas, nymphaeum and the mosaic adorned villas as well
as a medieval monastery (an elaborate example of Byzantine
architecture) in the perimeter of the archaeological park are also
included two ancient necropolises (Hellenistic and Roman) and
two ancient temples. In an attempt to increase cultural tourism
in the area, the Albanian authorities have made Apollonia an
Archaeological Park, giving an impetus to tourism and reaching a
number of 35,000 visitors in 2010.
The management of the archaeological park
Because of its large surface area and position in a rural
landscape, the management situation of Apollonia can be
described as a complex one. Three inhabited villages are situated
within the boundaries of the park and there are continuous
problems regarding the protection of the archaeological ruins and
the cultural landscape.
Since 2006 the area has been proclaimed as an archaeological
park, witnessing an increase in the number of visitors, hosting
35,000 visitors to the park in 2010. For this reason, all attempts for the
enlargement of the protected zone and the better presentation
of the monuments need to be further supported. The potential
for cultural tourism is high, as only an estimated 10% of the city
has been discovered so far, and the preservation of the current
monuments is of good quality.
Lately, the need to develop the region has begun to clash with
the need to protect and preserve the archaeological park. After
lengthy negotiations, the new highway (initially planned to dissect
the archaeological park) was pushed towards the west part of the
boundary line of the park. This issue has highlighted the importance
of an integrated management plan. To finalize such a plan, a
specialized group of experts needs to collaborate in order to bring
together the most innovative methods for the administration of
cultural resources, by securing the support of all the interest groups
that conduct their everyday activities in the area.
13. Temple B
Heading north from the western
corner of the promenade on the
right side of the street that starts
there is the remains of a basement
of a 1st-century AD temple. On the
top of it there are walls that are
connected with iron rods and lead,
as it is still preserved in a very admirable fashion.
14. Archaic Agora
After leaving behind the main
road with its stores and temples,
heading north, visitors will find
themselves in front of a flat wide
field. Archaeologists assume that
this might have been the city center
(Agora) during the Archaic period.
Excavations continue, but the foundations of a building with a portico
with a length of 128 m are visible, very large for the time when it was
constructed. Parts of this structure are open for public viewing.
Certainly the next research will provide spectacular results here!
15. Acropolis
The Acropolis was the most
fortified part of the city with a special
surrounding wall and the last refuge
for the inhabitants in case of enemy
attack. The only entrance to the
Acropolis is located on southern
side with a wide corridor and
monumental view. A part of the restored side wall gives an idea of
the former fortification. If you go up to the top of the hill you are now
walking on a road constructed 2500 years ago! The Acropolis did not
lose its defensive function in the Roman period. In Caesar’s description
of the Roman Civil War against Pompeii’s troops in Illyria in 48 BC,
Caesar uses the Latin word “arx” (fortress) for the acropolis of Apollonia.
The dominant location of this hill, from where you can see the whole
Western Lowland, made possible its continuous fortification throughout
its history. The presence of a 20th century commanding army center
in this area, while today abandoned, has unfortunately caused some
damage to the archaeological layers of the site.
16. Temenos
The top of the hill, 104 meters high,
was where the Temple of Apollo
was located, surrounded by a
decorative wall, which confined the
sacred area of the city, Temenos.
The wall is still well-preserved on its
southern side, where is located the monumental entrance with the
typical Apollonian arch. On the left side of the entrance it could be
noted the earliest age of the wall dating to the 5th century BC. Made
of either sandstone or limestone blocks, the wall is distinguished for
its quadrate shape. Over those are quite visible two symbols, letters
D (delta) and A (alpha), combined with a monogram. Those are the
abbreviation of word “damosios” – which means “state”.
17. Quote 104
The top of the highest hill of
Apollonia that initially was named
by Leon Rey with the military term
“quote 104”, and is also known as
Olives Hill in various archaeological
publications, was the heart of the
sacred precinct. This was the exact
place where the main sanctuaries of
the city were located, as evidenced by archaic inscriptions dedicated
to Artemisia and Gaia, and a 6th century BC) relief. Today, on the
height of this hill, there can be clearly seen distinguished traces of the
basement of the former temple, very close to the bar-restaurant Rey
Leon, where one can also see a photographic exhibition dedicated
to the archaeologist who rediscovered Apollonia from 1924 to 1938.
18. Apollo’s Obelisk
In front of the entrance of Temenos,
on the right side, perched high up on a
cylindrical pedestal there is the Obelisk,
the symbol of Apollo Agieus, patron of
colonists. The obelisk has been often
encountered in the coins of the city.
Apollonian coins have been spread
throughout the main Mediterranean
region since the middle of the 3rd century
BC (they are common archaeological
findings even nowadays).
19. Theater
Starting walking from the city
center through a 300 m long path,
paved especially for the tourists, one
meets the theatre of the ancient city.
The theater marks the westernmost
point of the Agora. The slope of the
hill was exploited for its construction,
with an artificial bank serving to carry the northwestern side of the
staircase leading up to the theater. In the Late Antiquity, the theater
was abandoned and on its place a church was built. Stone blocks
taken from the theater seating were employed in the building of the
Church of St. Mary at the medieval Monastery.
20. Nymphaeum
If you continue to walk north
from the theater, in 20 minutes you
will arrive at the Nymphaeum. This
great, decorative drinking fountain
was fed by the underground water
sources, which are still active,
and is the biggest and the best
preserved monument in Apollonia.
The Nymphaeum lies in an area of approximately 1500 m2 on a 35°
slope. On its highest part, a wall blocked the source water and sent
it towards five escalating canal nozzles, 11 meters apart from each
other. Through these nozzles the water was sent to the deposit.
The construction of the Nymphaeum maybe dates to the same
time period of the Temenos wall, around the middle of the 3rd century
BC. This monument was functional for only for one century, and was
ruined because of a landslide which damaged and covered the
basin with a nape of 7 meters and most of the canals.
The Nymphaeum was discovered accidentally in 1962, when a
tunnel was opened for military purposes, and was excavated during
seven archaeological campaigns under the supervision of Hasan
Ceka.
Museum and the Monastery
The medieval monastery, most of which was built with materials
recovered from the ancient monuments of the city, including the
perimeter and his Church of the Virgin Mary, which dates back to
XII century. Here since 1985 is the archaeological museum where
you can visit a rich array of different periods of the excavations of
Apollonia in Illyria.
21. Athena’s House
A mass of ruins, actually located
inside an encirclement, are those
that have remained from a onceimposing palace, with about
3500 m2 of surface. House D is
known as “Athena’s House” by
archaeologists because of the
discovery of a statue of the goddess. Provided with two courtyards
with peristyles, it is the largest residential building in Apollonia. The
mosaic in the eastern room bears the motifs of marine Mythology in its
center, and in an octangular medallion is shown a naked Nereid on a
dolphin, while in half-circles on the side are swimming seahorses. On
the eastern side is a room, called Achilles’ room, because the floor
mosaic shows the Hero fighting the Queen of Amazons, Pentesilea.
In the frame are shown two scenes from Amazonomachy. In the first
one, two Amazons are striking a kneed Greek soldier, who is asking
for mercy with his hands up in the air. In the second one, Achilles, with
his Attic helmet is holding the mortally wounded Queen of Amazons,
Pentesilea, during their fight. The building was built in the 2nd century
AD, and was abandoned in the beginning of the 3rd century AD.
22. Villa with Impluvium
Between the gymnasium and the monastery, quite close to modern
archaeologists house, in the first terrace just at the bottom of the hill,
is a large building dating to the 2nd-3rd century AD. The building
belongs to the Roman style with an
impluvium, a pool that captured
rainwater from the opening in
the roof. During the excavations at
this site it was found a portrait of a
philosopher and a headless marble
statue of the goddess Athena in the
Promachos style. The sculptures, one
of the limestone basements showing
Atlas grasping the Columns of the World, are at the National Museum
in Tirana. The most stunning finds were in 2010, when the bust of a
Roman aristocrat was discovered.
23. Gymnasium
To the southwest of the monastery,
crossing the Villa with impluvium, next
to the road that once connected
the southern gate with the city
center, is located a building which is recognized as the Gymnasium.
The Italian archaeologist Sestrieri came to this conclusion after finding
some roof tiles with the “gymnasium” stamp on them while he was
digging. The building is thought to have been used as a gymnasium
starting in the 6th century BC, but it continued to function after some
reconstructions until the 3rd century AD.
24. Doric Temple
A single, vertical column towards the south may be seen from the
southern gate of the city. This column, in the Doric style, is the remaining
part of a temple whose rectangular frame is still visible. The temple
was built in 480 BC, using stone blocks and pillars from the nearby
Karaburun peninsula. It’s not known yet to which god it is dedicated,
but from similar cases of ancient world, and also considering the
adjacent positioning with the ancient port (hypothetically located
under the hill of the temple, still remains undiscovered), it could
definitely be said that the statue is related to the sea. In this case,
comes into consideration Poseidon, as god of the seas, or of the sailors
of Aphrodite, or of Hermes traders.
Welcome to Apollonia,
the largest Archaeological Park of Albania!
Apollonia is a Greek colony founded in the territories of Illyrian
Taulantis in about 620 BC. According to ancient chronicles, of the
around 30 cities in the whole ancient world which were named in
honor of the God Apollo, the biggest and the most important one
was Apollonia City in ancient Illyria, with about 60,000 inhabitants at
its zenith. This first ancient city to bear the name of Apollo was also an
important cultural center where the young Octavian (in 45 BC) studied
before becoming Caesar Augustus. Visiting Apollonia Archaeological
Park will take about half a day to see all the monuments of this city
with 1000 years of history. The monuments are scattered around the
park, which makes it difficult to visit the city with a single itinerary. This
is why the explanation is organized in three different itineraries.
Points of interest
(see numbers on the map)
1. Monumental Center
Discovered
by
the
French
archaeologist Leon Rey, this set of
public buildings was an important
center in the life of the people of
Apollonia in the Hellenistic and the
Roman periods. It is composed of a
two-storied portico with 17 niches, a portico with apses, Bouleuterion,
Prytaneion, Diana’s Temple, Library and Odeon.
2. Stoa A
The
monumental
complex
of the Roman Empire Period is
located along a group of ancient
monuments freely built up along
the Agora square in the 4th-3th
centuries BC. Stoa A is the ancient
avenue of the city, located on the
eastern side of the Agora, partially
covered by the Library of the Roman Empire Period. It lays towards
the south for 20-30 meters, and inside the Monastery is found its
elongation. It was built up in the second half of the 4th century BC.
3. The Triumphal Arch
In front of the Bouleuterion are
preserved four pillars of a Triumphal
Arch, built up and covered with
white marble tiles. The monument
is 14 meters long and 10 meters
high, and is passable by three
gates, covered by arches. Placed at a strategic round angle, in
the crossroads of the main streets, it served as an obligatory road
through the square.
4. Library
According to the French
archaeologist, Leon Rey, who
discovered it, the building in the
eastern corner of the Agora was the
library of the city, but the function
of this building is not entirely clear.
It is a simple quadrate building,
which is finished in the same technique and urbane harmony as
Bouleterion. The Library is over-constructed to an earlier avenue, of
which the façade is still preserved. The reason that drove Leon Rey
to search the Library at this location – the Apollonian archive in the
2nd century AD – was the presence of ledges that profiled internal
walls of the building, as well as some symmetrical holes in them.
According to the French archaeologist, they might have served to
hold shelves on the wall.
5. Bouleuterion (Monument of the Agonothets)
It is the most distinguished
building in the Agora and one
of the symbols of Albanian
archaeology. It was the seat of the
Boulea – the City Council. Over the
capitals decorated with acacia
leaves, one enters through a door
frame profiled in three parts and
engraved with a dedicated inscription in ancient Greek. It reads:
“Quintus Villius Crispinus Furius Proculus, prytanis, agonothetus,
archiereus for life, erected the bouleterion to the memory and in
honor of Villius Valentius Furius Proculus, Prefect of the Cohort in
Syria, Tribune of the Gemina Legion in Pannonia, Agonothetus.
Twenty-five gladiator pairs fought at its inauguration.” Because the
two brothers were Agonothetes (officers charged with parties and
sportive race organization), the bouleterion built in their honor is also
called “The Monument of Agonothetes”. Built in the last quarter of
the 2nd century AD, and discovered by Rey’s team, the monument
was restored in 1976 by Albanian specialists under the direction of
Koco Zhegu.
6. Odeon
Located on the northern side
of the square, across from the
bouleuterion, in this monument
were held cultural and musical
events as well as official meetings.
The interior was akin to a small
story was constructed in the
Ionian style. Stoa B of Apollonia
is a very interesting monument,
almost unique in the whole
Mediterranean area, especially
for the niches of the rear wall
that improved the monument’s
stability and at the same time made quite a suitable background
for 14 sculptures, heads of the ancient philosophers. Some of
them, dating back to the 2nd century AD, were discovered during
the excavations of Léon Rey. This monument was particularly
important to the city’s life. It was chosen to be constructed in a
place with a dominant view over the whole surrounding territory
with a wonderful view of the sea in the background. In the
promenade were held philosophical debates and passionate
discussions about important issues concerning city’s inhabitants.
theater. There were 16 rows, sufficient to accommodate an
audience of 300 persons. The combination of Greek building
style and Roman construction technique makes the Odeon a
particularly interesting monument, dating back to around the
middle of the 2nd century AD.
7. Sanctuary by the Odeon
Close to the Odeon, right next
to its western wall lies a small
sanctuary measuring 5 m by 5
m. Two Ionic columns adorn its
facade. To its rear, and therefore
within the niche formed by the
projection of the 4th century BC
retaining wall, stand the plinths of three statues. The central position
suggests that it was associated with the emperor’s cult. It is possible
that this sanctuary was a functional part of the Odeon.
11. Temple A
8. Diana’s temple
Right after crossing the
promenade, on its western side,
there is a public monument, a
rectangular building. Its strategic
position, with a wonderful
sea view, demonstrates the
importance of the monument.
Its internal part was laid with
mosaics and it had a basement of stone tiles. On the portico’s
side archaeologists have determined that there was an exposed
statue in front of this monument. Based on this, archaeologists
think that it may be a sanctuary, based on a cult of a hero or an
Emperor, built in the 1st century AD.
The Temple of Diana, located
on the western side of the
bouleuterion, is the last building
of this complex, was built in the
last quarter of the 2nd century
AD. Excavations have brought to
light parts of the marble statue
of Diana, based upon which the conclusion may be drawn that
the Temple was devoted to this Goddess, who was especially
venerated in Apollonia.
9. Prytaneion
Backing on to the bouleuterion,
one alley away from Diana’s
temple, is another monument
whose function is not clear.
Its facade, facing west, was
adorned with a colonnade of
marble columns surmounted by
Corinthian capitals giving on to a large hall. Excavations conducted
in 1960 brought to light a total of eleven sculptures dating back to
the 2nd and the 3rd century AD, the majority of which seem to
represent top officials. It is thus thought that this building served as
the prytaneion, the seat of the city’s highest officials.
10. Stoa B
In front of the Odeon and the Sanctuary we may see the most
preserved monument of the classic period in the Agora. It is the
portico with seventeen niches (Stoa B). This monument was used
at least until the 2nd century AD. Thirty-six octagonal Doric columns
separate the Avenue in two parallel walkways. Probably the second
1. Monumental Centre
2. Stoa A
3. The triumphal Arch
4. Library
5. Bouleuterion (Agonothets)
6. Odeon
7. Sanctuary by Odeon
8. Diana’s temple
9. Prytaneion
10. Stoa B
11. Temple A
12. Storehouses & cistern
13. Temple B
14. Archaic Agora
15. Acropolis
16. Temenos
17. Quote 104
18. Apollo’s Obelisk
19. Theatre
20. Nymphaeum
21. Athena’s House
22. Villa with Impluvium
23. Gymnasium
24. Doric Temple
25. Nord-East Gate
26. West Gate
27. Tower of the ramparts
28. Street H
29. Baths
30. South Gate
31. Interior wall
32. Villas excavated by L. Rey
33. House (sector F)
34. Bastion
12. Storehouses & cistern
Legend
Trails
Itinerary 1
Itinerary 2
Itinerary 3
12 Points of Interes
Museum’s Entrance
Park Boundary
The entrance of Temenos, on the western side, is treated as a
connecting corridor between two terraces, over which there were
temples. The northern terrace, created in the 3rd century BC had
on its frontal view three areas,
covered by archways which
served as storehouses or shops.
One of them, which is restored,
is visible opposite the western
corner of the promenade.
There is a cistern with two
reservoirs situated in the northern
side of the surroundings of the
complex. The reservoirs are connected by a little gate with a
sharp Apollonian arch. It was constructed with typical bricks
plastered with Apollonian mortar for hydro isolation, similar to that
of city’s Nimpheum. The water supply of the cistern came from
the temple’s roof located over the terrace.
Apollonia Archaeological Park
The park was legally established in 2005 and covers an area
of about 750 ha. Together with the parks of Shkodra Castle,
Lezha Castle, Byllis, Amantia, Orikum, Antigonea, Finiqi and
Butrint, it forms the Albanian system of archaeological parks.
Since 2006 Apollonia has an administration and coordination
office and employs seven staff members.
Administration and Coordination Office
Apollonia Archaeological Park
Manastiri i Apollonise
Pojani, P.B. 612, Fier-Albania
Tel. +355 38 320 464
Fax. +355 38 320 337
E-mail: [email protected]
www.apollonia.al
How to get there
You can reach Apollonia Archaeological Park by car
by driving about 12 km west from Fieri or 120 km southsouthwest from Tirana.
Opening hours
April – September: every day 8:00 – 20.00
October – March: every day 9.00 – 17.00
For tours, please contact the Administration and
Coordination Office at the Park.
Entrance fee
Normal rate: 300 Albanian Lek
Reduced rate: 150 Albanian Lek for schoolchildren,
students and disabled persons.
Free entrance every last Sunday of the month, except
during June, July and August.
Price for shooting films, commercials and video clips:
1000 lek / hour.
This mapguide was produced in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Apollonia Archaeological Park, and UNESCO Venice Office
within the framework of the UN Joint Programme, “Culture and
Heritage for Social and Economic Development”, funded by the
Spanish Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund.
Services
Near the archaeological museum an authorized point
offers souvenirs and specialized publications. Inside
the Park there also operate two bars/restaurants. “Bar
Restaurant Apollonia” near the Monastery offers a wide
variety of traditional culinary specialties; while on the
heights of Hill 104, “Bar Restaurant Leon Rey” reveals
a magnificent panorama of the Archaeological Park.
Your support is needed!
Please help keep the Park in good condition. Do not
litter and be prepared to take all of your waste out of
the Park with you.
Do not step on the ruins or lean against the columns.
It is strictly forbidden to make a fire in the Park. We
are making continuous efforts to make your stay as
enjoyable as possible.
We are grateful to Albanian-French Archaeological and Epigraphic Mission and Prof. Dr. Neritan Ceka for their help in realizing
this mapguide.
Archaeological map and aerial photo credits:
Albanian-French Archaeological and Epigraphic Mission
Other photo credits: Marin Haxhimihali
The designations employed and the presentation of material
throughout this publication do not imply the impression of any
opinion whatsoever on the part of UNDP or UNESCO concerning
the topic of this publication.
Design :
© Apollonia Archaeological Park 2011