KRUJA
Kruja is regarded by many as the birthplace of modern Albania. The old town is located in the Byzantine fortress, which is guarded by 12 towers. The National Museum in honour of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg is housed in a spectacular mountain castle in Krujë. Skanderbeg was an Albanian leader of the 15th century, who preserved Albania with its considerable military and strategic capabilities for two decades against the Ottoman invasion. After he had inherited his father's land and title in 1437, he first served as the vassal of the Sultan Murad II. After leaving the Ottoman army on the battlefield during the Battle of Niš in 1443, Skanderbeg helped to initiate the Albanian independence movement from Ottoman domination and Venetian control in the middle of 1400. He consolidated his home base at Krujë Castle. Skanderbeg was a close vassal of Alfonso V. of Aragon and helped to sustain Alfonso's authority in the territories which he ruled as King of Naples. The Ottoman troops tried to besiege Kruja Castle three times, once again in 1450, again in 1466 and for the last time in 1467. All attempts failed because of the castle's defensive position on a bare rocky promontory. In the winter of 1468, Skanderbeg finally died because of malaria. In his time he was a hero, especially among Christian Europeans who admired his successful resistance against the Muslim Turks. Its popularity was so high and so widespread that biographical novels from the 16th to 18th centuries were published in several languages and countries. The museum in Skanderberg's home base in Kruja houses exhibits about his life and military activities, such as paintings, armour and other artifacts from that time. A replica of the hero's famous goat's head helmet is on display, but the original is in the "Kunsthistorisches Museum" in Vienna. The old bazaar is also part of the complex, which houses an ethnographic museum. Visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley and the town below from a wide, pleasant viewing terrace.
DURRES
Durrës, historically also known as Epidamnos, Drac, Durazzo and Dyrrachium, is the largest port and the second largest city and municipality of Albania. Founded by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu as Epidamnos in 627 BC, it has been inhabited continuously since that time and it is one of the oldest cities in Albania. Geographically, it is centrally located on the coast, about 33 km west of the capital Tirana.
It is one of the oldest and economically most important cities in Albania. Today Durrës is the country's most important economic city after Tirana. Among other things, the port, which is Albania's largest port, plays an important role. The city is situated at one of the narrow points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari and Brindisi. The port is also the largest cargo port on the Adriatic Sea, handling more than 3.4 million tonnes of freight a year.
The city of Durrës is home to one of the largest amphitheatre on the Balkan peninsula, the Durrës amphitheatre with a capacity of 20,000 people.
Durrës ranks 5th among the largest cities on the Adriatic Sea. The city is also one of Albania's most important tourist destinations.
Course of the day:
08:30 Meeting and greeting with the local guide.
08:45 Drive to Kruja (The Medieval Capital of Albania)
09:45 Sightseeing tour of the Skanderbeg Museum and the Ethnographic Museum.
12:15 Free time in the 16th century bazaar and rest.
14:15 Continuing to Durres
15:15 Arrival in Durres and sightseeing tour with the guide. (amphitheatre, city centre, Venetian tower, Byzantine walls, Archaeological Museum.)
17:00 One hour free time at the Taulantia beach promenade
18:00 Drive to Tirana.
19:00 Arrival and departure.