Ancient city Amantia

Amantia was founded in the 4th century BC, possibly by the Taulantii tribe, and quickly developed into an urban center. The city, protected by an acropolis with two gates and towers, controlled a connecting route from the ports of Aulona and Oricum to the Vjosa Valley. As one of the first Illyrian cities, Amantia minted its own coins. In the 3rd century BC, it experienced Hellenization and joined the Epirote League around 230 BC. With the expansion of Rome in the 2nd century BC, Amantia initially came under the influence of Apollonia and later, after the 3rd Macedonian War, under Roman rule as part of the province of Macedonia. In the Roman Civil War, Amantia sided with Caesar in 48 BC and was assigned to the province of Epirus in 67 AD. Due to the shift of trade routes to the Via Egnatia, the city lost significance but remained an episcopal see in early Christian times until it was abandoned at the end of the 6th century during the Slavic invasions.

Visitors can explore the ruins of the ancient city of Amantia today. In addition to the city walls and the acropolis, the remains of a stadium with preserved stone seating rows, as well as the foundations of an Aphrodite temple and an early Christian church, can be discovered.