Archaeological Park of Antigona — Attraction in Bashkia Gjirokastër

The City of Pirro/ Pyrrhus' Dream - The Illyrian King of Epirus

Antigona, the city that was built by an order of Piroo/Pyrrhus in honor of his wife Antigonë as a sign of love, was burned in one night on the order of the Roman general Aemilius Paullus out of revenge and as sign of hatred, having flourished not even two centuries.

When he was 17, King Pirro (in Albanian) was dethroned after an uprising against him. After that, he went to the service of King Demeter of Macedonia and later to the court of King Ptolemy of Egypt. In Egypt he attracted the attention of the queen of Egypt, Berenice, who chose him among other princes to marry her daughter Antigonë. With the support of Antigonë, Pirro gathered money, an army & returned to Epir, claiming the royal throne. Gratitude to his mother-in-law Berenice & his wife Antigonë prompted Pirro to found 2 cities named after them: Berenice and Antigonë. The first was located in Thesproti once in Albanian territories given to Greece by the London Congress, while Antigonë once named Antitania, is still “alive” until today in Gjirokastër, as a proof of the fractioned & stolen history of the Albanians from their “Almighty” neighbors.

Antigonë/a, the 2nd city of the ancient Epirian province of Kaonia after Ancient Phoenicia (todays Albanian Finiq), both in size and importance, controlled the famous Via Egnatia connecting Dyrrahium (Durrës), Apollonia and Orikum with the highlands of Ioannina and Southern Epir.

Due to its important geographic position at a dominant point on the hill of Jerma, in the middle of the Drino Valley, Antigonë has been recognized as representing the climax of an unprecedented development.

The Drino Valley, both because of its fertility and its strategic importance, was an early population center, witnessed by about 20 ancient cities and fortifications, monumental barrows and tombs, ancient temples and theaters. Without doubt, Antigonë has been the main center...

I haven't been in the place however, it must be noted that this was an ancient Greek city founded by a Greek leader, Pyrrhus ( Πύρρος). The other reviews stating that this city is "Illyrian" or a piece of "Albanian history" just make me sick. Both the name Antigonea and the name Pyrrhus is 100% Greek... And lastly, if you, reader of this comment, actually believe this is where "Illyrians " lived you have to read some history. Illyrians were shepherds and good soldiers for pay. They didn't live in cities with marble and they were uncivilised, living in small communities... Also the epirotan tribe of which Alexander's mother and Pyrrhus were from, are Greek also. That's all I have to say, the place seems very beautiful from the photos and I wish to visit it one day. Please stop spreading propaganda and accept the historical facts- don't try to...

If you are really into history and/or hiking you will like this. If you're mildly interested in historical sites then you might feel the distance and cost are not worth it. I'm more towards the latter, hence the 3 star review. 300 lek entry - there might be no one at the ticket kiosk when you enter, but they might be there when you leave. Just go in and explore and pay when you leave. From the car park, there is signage up to the right to a church. This is a hike up and then down the hill, with some ruins. The other option is to stay on the main track and walk to the end (centre of city ruins), stopping at the various ruins each side. There are informative boards throughout, so you understand what you're looking at. No facilities, so take what you need and be prepared to...