On this excursion to Apollonia from Berat we'll discover one of the most famous archaeological sites in Albania and the treasures hidden in the Byzantine monastery of Ardenica.
Apollonia + Ardenica Monastery Tour
At the appointed time we'll meet in front of the Mangalemi Hotel in Berat. From there, we'll start our excursion to Apollonia and the Ardenica Monastery. It'll be a day of beautiful scenery, history and time travel as we discover archaeological remains... What more could you ask for?
After an hour and a quarter's drive, we'll arrive at our first stop, the Archaeological Park of Apollonia. There we'll take a guided tour to discover the secrets hidden in this place known as Little Athens.
Throughout the tour, we'll tell you about the peculiarities of this city founded in 588 BC by Greek settlers. We'll explore the remains of the Hellenistic theatre, the triumphal arch, the agora and its colonnade and the gymnasium. We'll also see the monument of Agonothetes, the Odeon, the library and the villas with beautiful mosaic floors.
After touring the remains, we'll take a break to recover our strength with a tasty lunch. We'll then move on to the next stop of the day, the Monastery of Ardenica.
Upon arrival, we'll visit the interior of this temple built in 1282 by the Byzantine emperor Andronicus. We'll also stop at the church of St. Mary, the hermitage of St. Triadhe and the mill. It's one of the most famous historical and religious monuments in Albania. You'll soon find out why!
After eight hours of activity, we'll be back in Berat.
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