TIRANA, July 4 /ATA/ – The Antigonea Archaeological Park has seen a 21% increase in visitor numbers during the January-June 2025 period compared to the same timeframe last year.
Anyone who has not yet visited the site is encouraged to include it on their list of must-see Albanian attractions this summer, to experience its rich history, stunning monuments, and breathtaking natural surroundings.
Covering an area of approximately 92 hectares, the ancient city of Antigonea was founded in 295 BC by Pyrrhus, King of the Molossians, and named after his wife, Antigone. As the second most important city of the Kaonia province in Epirus – after Phoenice – Antigonea held strategic significance, overseeing the historic Via Egnatia trade route that connected Dyrrachium (modern-day Durrës) with Apollonia, Orikum, and the highlands of Ioannina and southern Epirus.
Antigonea bears traces of all major historical periods, from prehistory to the modern era. Notable landmarks include the Spile Monastery, the Church of Saint Nicholas in Saraqinisht, and the Early Christian mosaic within Antigonea – clear evidence of the early spread of Christianity throughout the Drino Valley. The Ottoman period also left its mark, with traditional 17th and 18th-century houses showcasing characteristic architectural styles of the era.
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