Durrës/Durrësi (pronounced "dourèse" or "dourèsi") has around 115,000 inhabitants and 200,000 with the rest of the municipality. Also known by its Italian name of Durazzo, it is the capital of the Durrës district (270,000 inhabitants). The town lies 37 km west of Tirana, 108 km south of Shkodra and 123 km north of Vlora.Founded in 627 B.C. by Greek settlers from Corinth and Corfu, Durrës was Albania's principal city for over two millennia. This was thanks to its port, which served as a link between East and West. It is still by far the most important port in the country. But the glorious Byzantine Dyrrhachion, so coveted over the centuries, has become the second city of a small nation. And galloping urbanism has relegated it to the status of a mere coastal suburb of the great conurbation of Tirana. Its vast sandy beaches are a magnet for the capital's inhabitants and those of Kosovo (2h30 away by car via the freeway). Saturated with hotels and high-rise buildings, its coastline is becoming increasingly ugly by the year. And the pollution generated by the port, industry and tourism means that swimming here requires a good dose of courage (or recklessness). And yet, despite all this, it's hard not to fall under the spell of this dynamic city, its pleasant little town center and its rich historical heritage.

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Pictures and images Durrës

Ancient théâtre romain près de Dürres. milosk50 - Shutterstock.com
Port de Durrës. Céline CHAUDEAU
Durrës. Dimos - Shutterstock.com
Amphithéâtre de Dürres. CCat82 - SHutterstock.Com
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