Heritage
History & culture of Albania
Three thousand years of Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and modern Albanians — and where to see it all today.
Periods
Albania through the centuries
- 01 · 1000 BCE – 167 BCE
Ancient Illyria
Tribal kingdoms, hill-forts and the Illyrian queens.
- 02 · 167 BCE – 395 CE
Roman Albania
The Via Egnatia and cities like Apollonia and Butrint.
- 03 · 395 – 1385
Byzantine & Middle Ages
Orthodox monasteries, castle towns and Albanian principalities.
- 04 · 1385 – 1912
Ottoman Period
Mosques, hammams and the UNESCO Ottoman quarters of Berat & Gjirokastër.
- 05 · 1912 – 1944
Independence
Modern Albania, monarchy and the interwar years.
- 06 · 1944 – today
Modern Albania
From the communist era to a vibrant European nation.
Visit
Castles, museums & archaeological sites
Living traditions
Iso-polyphonic singing (UNESCO Intangible Heritage), highland qeleshe hats, the kanun code of besa, summer saints' day festivals and a passion for raki, byrek and espresso shape daily life from Shkodër to Sarandë.