Byzantine Forum: Echoes of Ancient Durrës

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Discover the Byzantine Forum in Durrës, a window into Albania's ancient past, where history and culture intertwine in the heart of the city.

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Byzantine Forum (Durrës)

Explore the ruins of the Byzantine Forum in Durrës, once the heart of the ancient city of Dyrrhachium. Built in the late 6th century AD, this marketplace and meeting place offers a glimpse into Albania's rich Roman and Byzantine past, featuring remnants of Corinthian columns and a circular paved area.

A brief summary to Byzantine Forum (Durrës)

8C8W+3F7, Rruga Aleksander Goga, Durrës, AL

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Byzantine Forum (Durrës).

Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking on uneven ground while exploring the ruins.
Visit during the cooler months or early morning to avoid the heat, as the site offers little shade.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Durrës Amphitheatre and Archaeological Museum to get a comprehensive view of the city's history.

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Getting There

Walking

From Sheshi Liria (main square) in Durrës, walk north on Rruga Aleksander Goga. The Byzantine Forum will be on your left, a short walk from the square. The site is easily accessible and well-marked.
Public Transport

Local buses and minibuses frequently operate in Durrës. Take a bus that stops near the city center or Aleksandër Moisiu Theatre. From there, it's a short walk to Rruga Aleksander Goga and the Forum. A single bus fare is approximately 30-40 ALL.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available throughout Durrës. Ask to be taken to the Byzantine Forum on Rruga Aleksander Goga. A short taxi ride from the Durrës city center should cost around 300-500 ALL.

Discover more about Byzantine Forum (Durrës)

The Byzantine Forum of Durrës, also known as the Byzantine Market Square (Tregu Bizantin), stands as a testament to the city's layered history. Constructed in the late 6th century AD during the reign of Roman Emperor Anastasios, it served as the central public space of Dyrrhachium, now Durrës. This forum was not merely a marketplace; it was the heart of the city's social, cultural, and political life. It occupied a key position among other significant public and religious buildings of the Byzantine era. The design featured a circular paved area, approximately 40 meters in diameter, with a podium and well at its center, surrounded by a colonnade of Corinthian columns. Originally, there were around 40 columns, though only a few remain standing today.Historical sources and archaeological expeditions reveal that the forum also hosted taverns serving food and workshops for crafting and trading glassware. Recent excavations have uncovered new insights into the forum's function throughout late antiquity and the Middle Ages, including evidence of a medieval cemetery.The Byzantine Forum bears resemblance to Constantine's Curved Forum in Constantinople, which was destroyed in 1204. Today, the Forum is located in the center of modern Durrës, near the Great Mosque and the Aleksandër Moisiu Theatre, and it still feels central to city life.