Information
Landmark: Antigonea Archaeological ParkCity: Gjirokaster
Country: Albania
Continent: Europe
Antigonea Archaeological Park, Gjirokaster, Albania, Europe
Overview
In southern Albania, the Antigonea Archaeological Park invites you to wander among weathered stone walls and discover the rich history and culture of an ancient Hellenistic city.King Pyrrhus of Epirus founded Antigonea in the 3rd century BCE, and today its weathered stone walls still carry both archaeological value and a deep historical significance.Perched on Jermë Hill in southern Albania’s Drino Valley, about 14 kilometers from Gjirokastër, Antigonea sits 600 meters above sea level, where the air carries the scent of wild thyme in summer.A well-marked road winds up to the site, whether you drive or hike.Founded in 295 BCE by Pyrrhus of Epirus and named for his first wife, Antigone, the city thrived in the Hellenistic era as a lively center of culture, politics, and trade, its position linking Epirus with surrounding regions.Roman forces burned it to the ground in 167 BCE.This marked the moment Antigonea ceased to exist as a living city, its story buried until the 1960s, when archaeologists, digging into the sunbaked earth, uncovered walls of massive polygonal stones, mosaicked courtyards, market stalls, and temples-fragments that now reveal the rhythms of its history and the lives once lived within its gates.With its mix of ancient ruins, rich history, and sweeping mountain views, it’s a place history buffs and curious travelers shouldn’t miss when exploring the Gjirokastër region.You might trace a hand along its weathered stone walls or pause to take in the sweeping view of the Drino Valley-either way, Antigonea leaves you with memories that linger.
