Durrës Roman Baths

Durrës, Albania

The Roman baths of Durrës, dating back to the first century AD, were discovered in the 1960s, during the excavations that also revealed more of the amphitheatre. The ruins are situated just off the big square at the back of the Alexsander Moisiu Theatre, and entrance is free. The pool, 7 metres long by 5 metres wide, was heated by a hypocaust, a form of early central heating used in Roman baths across the empire. Naturally, the furnace that heated the pool was expensive and labour-intensive to run, and so the presence of the baths in Durrës indicates that it was a settlement of some considerable wealth.

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Founded: 0-100 AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Albania

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User Reviews

Maksym Okhrimenko (37 days ago)
Review of the Amphitheatre in Durres During my visit to Durres, I had the chance to explore its iconic amphitheatre, and it left a lasting impression on me. This Roman amphitheatre, one of the largest in the Balkans, was built in the 2nd century AD under Emperor Trajan. Standing in its vast arena, I could almost feel the energy of the crowds who once gathered here to witness gladiator battles and other grand spectacles. Despite the centuries that have passed, much of the structure has been well-preserved, and its historical significance is undeniable. One of the highlights for me was discovering the small Christian chapel within the amphitheatre, adorned with beautiful mosaics. It was fascinating to see how the site transitioned from a Roman entertainment venue to a place of worship during the Byzantine era. Walking through the tunnels and seating areas, I was struck by the blend of ancient architecture and the vibrant modern life surrounding the site. Its central location in Durres also provides a unique contrast between history and the bustling city. Visiting the amphitheatre was a memorable experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in history, culture, or simply exploring Albania’s rich heritage. It truly feels like stepping back in time.
Ola Hańska (48 days ago)
The amphitheater is definitely a priceless treasure of history and culture to see. It would be wonderful if there was a decent museum or exhibition done here. It’s a bit of a mess but on the other hand you can have a freedom to walk everywhere and touch everything, even ancient mosaics.
Yvonne Musey Johnson (4 months ago)
I like historical places as you walk with the ancients and try to imagine how they lived and what they did. As a teacher, this is part of grade 9 Social Studies curriculum and so interesting to bear witness. Amazing that it was only discovered in 1966!
Stephen McCann (4 months ago)
The Amphitheatre of Durres is an impressive ancient Roman structure, which was initially constructed during the 2nd century AD and may have held up to 20,000 spectators. There's several fully excavated tunnels and underground galleries that you can walk around. There's also an impressively preserved mosaic from about the 6th century AD. It looks like there's still some archaeological work to be carried out, such as the arena area and tunnels. I hope they keep working on it, restore as much as possible, and preserve the already complete excavations. I loved that visitors are free to explore the site and can roam wherever they wish. You'll need a total of about 30 minutes to wander around the whole site. Entry was only €3 for adults.
Stacy Pennington (8 months ago)
An interesting 2nd century AD Roman structure but not in great shape. Amazingly, this place wasn't rediscovered until the 1960s, and work is still going on to excavate and preserve it. Note that the ground and stairs can be very tricky here, so be careful climbing around on the structure. There's not much oversight in this place at all. If you arrive after hours, you can get a pretty good look at it by just walking around it using the surrounding streets.
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