Byllis Archaeological Park

Frequently mentioned in reviews: Top-rated.online cuts through the clutter, highlighting only the reviews that are most helpful, earn the most likes, or come from the most active contributors. As experianced traveller who travels a lot around the whole world, I must say, this was maybe one of the best places we have ever been. It is so lonely, quiet and really beautiful. A peaceful area. The view is amzing! The place is poorly signposted. But the mountaintrip is worth it anyway. Bring water! But the fewer people go there, the better! So, I don't feel good, to tell how wonderful it was! Sorry. But for those who are going, enjoy! Stunning partially excavated archeological with commanding views. Anywhere in Greece this would be overrun with tourists, in Albania you can explore it on your own (with the old shepherd on the road). I have been impressed )A great place to visit )A lot to see and value.Mind blowing to the river Vjosa ,emerald green hills all around ,red poppies in high grass,and historical echo in every stone )Highly recommended! PS.The road leads to the very top of the hill but it is under full reconstruction,so don’t expect comfort )))Still,what you are going to see is truly worth that effort ) Bylis Archaeological Park is an important historical near Ballsh, Fier, in central Albania, known for its well-preserved from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Founded in the 4th BC, Byllis was a significant trade and culture hub until the 5th AD, when it was abandoned due to invasions and natural disasters. In 2003, Byllis was named an archaeological park, making it one of Albania’s most important sites. Interesting facts about Bylis Archaeological Park: • Historical Significance Byllis was the largest of Southern Illyria. The was the center of a koinon, a political organization, around 270 BC, covering about 20 square kilometers. • Geographic Features The park is located on the hills of Mallakastra, offering panoramic of the Vjosa River and surrounding landscapes. The walls were 2,200 meters long, enclosing 30 hectares of a plain 524 meters above sea level. Its position allowed control over movements through the Vjosa valley. • Key Structures The park includes a theater that could seat up to 5,000 people. Other structures include a temple, marketplace, and fortification wall. The stadium is the second most well-preserved in the country, with 19 stairs made of stone. • Basilica The features the remnants of a large basilica built in the 5th century, covering over 1 hectare, with mosaics depicting daily life scenes of shepherds and fishermen. • Archaeological Discoveries Excavations have revealed the city’s layout, including agorae, a stadium, a theater, and peristyle houses. Bronze coins dating back to 270 BC indicate the city’s prosperity in antiquity. • Later Byllis became a Roman colony named Colonia Iulia Augusta during Emperor Augustus’s rule. During the reign of Emperor Justinian in the 5th century, Byllis became an important religious center and several large Palaeo-Christian basilicas were constructed. The was rebuilt and fortified in the second half of the 6th A.D. but was eventually abandoned after destruction by the Slavs in 586. Ci siamo capitati per caso nella strada del ritorno. La lonley planet non ne fa menzione. Ma è un luogo magico, sulla sommità di una collina. Il sito è pulito, ordinato, molto bello. Il paesaggio meraviglioso. Pochissima gente. Biglietto d'ingresso 400 leke a persona. Probablemente sea el sitio que más me ha gustado de toda Albania, aunque no sea tan conocido como Apolonia. La entrada cuesta 400 leks. El parque está en una ubicación privilegiada en lo alto de una colina. Las ruinas de la ciudad iliria-romana están acompañadas de paneles explicando la función de cada edificio, aunque algunos carteles estaban confundidos. En general disfrutamos mucho la visita y aún más el estar prácticamente solos allí. Lo recomiendo This a beautiful parc, however the map guide you get at the ticket office, has very small pictures, so you to look very good, we're you are looking at. There is much more to be done for the guidance over the terrain and near the several subjects or formerly buildings, there is hardly to see where inscriptions are. I wonder if it couldn't build more up. There are so many stones and I think there must be archeological documents to help for rebuilding a little bit more. Then the spot would be more attractive and maybe even become an UNESCO heritage. Anyway, it was worth visiting it for 400 Leke ppl. Fantastic site, far more interesting and spectacular than some of the other more promoted sites in Albania. Parking is right by the entrance, so keep driving if you can't see the building by the ticket booth. Easily accessable by car, perfect road conditions, easy parking. Entry is 400 lek for one person, but it is really worth it, it's a super interesting and beautiful place of history! Es lohnt sich schon allein wegen der unglaublichen Aussicht. Très beau archéologique bien entretenu et facile d'accès 4€ Eintritt, kaum bis keine anderen Touristen, Bergstraße neu, Aussicht top, Mosaike unter Schotter Off the beaten track (04 2025) but ready to become an important site. Very huge, embedded in a landscape that beams you right into the antic world. See the unregulated river meandering to the mediterranean see at the horizon. Immense with Illyrian and Roman remains covering the entire hilltop. Several hours required to see everything. Friendly staff and ongoing archaeological work. Very good restaurant at the gate. I'd tell this is the most important archaeological in Albania, related to Illyrians. It is vast, includes different historik periods, starting with the cyclonic surrounding walls. The peacefulness and the energy this place has. Pity there isn't that much maintenance as this place deserves, but otherwise is easily reached and plenty of parking. As a bonus, the view of Vjosa river valley from walls is an experience you are not prepared to find here... Wonderful place, you can feel like you are centuries back. Peace, history, wonderful nature. Wow. Wow. Wow. What an unbelievable experience. In a way it was a shame to have the whole place to myself, I was expecting more people to appreciate this unique area. But fortunately I did have the entire to myself, because I loved every second of it. It's truly a ruined a city, so much to explore and you can explore at your leisure. Easy enough to find, parking was fine and the information boards were in English and Albanian. So much here, from the Illyrians, to the Romans, they each left their mark and it's evident in the stone carvings. You'd be lucky to find some of this in a museum, behind security glass. Here at Byliss, it's just left there for you to enjoy. Truly remarkable. For anyone interested in their history, or for those just looking to step back in time, I would 100% recommend a visit to the peaceful Byliss. A truly amazing place for any lover, although it's 100% worth coming here just for the views. The tickets are 400 lëk. The staff is really friendly and helpful even though they don't really speak English. It is also helpful to download the app which allows you to see also the rich mosaics that have been covered in sand for protection against erosion. There are still excavations taking place here, so there will likely be even more monuments to see. Il più deludente dei siti, siamo andati per i mosaici e sono tutti coperti. A quel punto molto meglio Apollonia e Butrino. Beautiful excavations still working One of Illyrian cities developed in the 8th BC as the capital of the Illyrian tribe of the Bylins. It had an area of ​​30ha surrounded by a wall protected by 7 entrances & 7 towers. The foundation of the Illyrian in the 4th is connected with the presence of bitumen mines near Selenica, which were located on the opposite edge of the valley. In the 3rd BC the was economically strengthened, when the center of 4ha was built, where the theater with about 9000 seats, the stadium, gymnasium, etc. were built. In the 1st BC, Bylis was taken the Romans becoming Roman colony. In the 4th AD the is surrounded by powerful walls & then became an important episcopal center. The discovery of 6 basilicas, the floors of which are paved with high-quality paleo-Christian motif mosaics, speak for itself. Illyrian Wineries. Best preserved in the Mediterranean not only for the period of Late Antiquity, but for all periods, in Bylis you can see the entire process of wine production of the Illyrians, from the arrival of the grapes to the extraction of the wine. From there it passed to the workshop, which is preserved almost completely. The foot pressing tub, the hand squeezing vessel, the vessel where the cider was originally stored, the place where the cider was placed after it was squeezed from where it passed to the large tubs, have been well preserved. So far, two large tubs have been excavated and another one that has been identified, but it is not yet known how many there may be in total. 21 in total have been found which have large volumes up to three (hectoliters) quintals. But there may be other warehouses that have not yet been excavated. This ranks among the great wineries. One similar to the Bylis Canteen has been discovered in recent years in Africa, but it has much smaller dimensions. Olive Oil production. In 2008 in this center, during the late excavations, it was partially discovered the olive oil workshop/factory, the grinding mill and the processing ovens. With this discovery the archaeologists found the place where it was processed and a lot of waste from the olives that were used for burning. This shows that those who worked in this workshop did not use other burning materials for the fire, but used exactly the waste of the olives itself to boil water. Like most of the sites of Albania, this is still to be discovered. Byllis Archaeological Park is one of the most impressive sites in Albania. Set on a hilltop with breathtaking panoramic over the Vjosa River valley, the combines with stunning natural beauty. The date back to the 4th BC, and visitors can still admire the remains of the walls, a large theater, basilicas with mosaics, and Roman streets. The atmosphere is peaceful and not overcrowded, which makes the experience even more special. Walking among the ruins, you get a real sense of the grandeur of the and its strategic importance. The at sunset are especially unforgettable. Facilities are limited, so it’s a good idea to bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Access by car is easy, though the road can be a little rough in some parts. Byllis is a hidden gem of Albania. Perfect for lovers, photographers, and anyone looking to enjoy a unique blend of culture and nature. Extremely interesting historical place at a very reasonable price. Few worries about getting there due to previous reviews about the roads however these have been very recently upgraded making it very easy to get to in any vehicle. Beautiful from the top and a lovely Cafe at the entrance. Recommend for anyone interested in a bit of and a nice stop 👍 We went there with a group of tourists and they really enjoyed the tour. The behind the is fascinating. If you are traveling to Albania make sure to add Bylis in your itinerary. If you are interested in tours feel free to contact us, as a guide is needed to get the best experience. About as cool as anything in Italy, but has even more stunning of Mount Tomorri, The Vjosa River, and the ocean. The and park are also well maintained Had not planned on visiting until we saw a road sign from the highway. It was well worth the detour to learn about these from the Greco-Roman times and without the crowds of when visiting Pompeii or Rome. Incredible fortress town used for millenia (Illirians & prior). Mostly un-excavated and unbelievably very very empty. Nice restaurant on site. Tolles Ambiente mit sehenswerten antiken Überresten Walking in this park is a deeply moving experience, especially if you appreciate the silence of like I do. This place in Albania is truly special..The view from the is breathtaking, especially at sunset. Bylis is the best-preserved Illyrian city, offering unique architectural features of Illyrian cities, along with Roman and Byzantine ruins. The park also has remarkable mosaics, though they are unfortunately covered and not visible. The infrastructure is minimal, but it doesn’t take away from the experience. Ja schon, aber leider wenig Informationen. Only 7km from the main road and accesable by car. Great panoramic view. It's an important archaelogical was founded 4th BC. Best way to revive moments and explore Pellasgian and Illyrian affected by Hellenic, Roman and Slavic cultures. Mind blowing view ! Një nga sitet më të bukur në Shqipërinë e jugut. The place is magnificent but unfortunately does not receive the attention (and probably money) it needs to make it worthwile. The mosaics are all covered up with sand so you can't see them. Surely there are other ways to protect them from the elements and keep them visible to the public. There are also several inscriptions mentioned on information panels but they are impossible to find, possibly they are overgrown with plants and thus not visible. This is a real pity, this should be better pointed out as such things are the highlights of your visit. Many buildings also lack information panels which leaves you wondering what it is you're staring at. This place could be a top attraction, but it needs more love and attention. Website change monitoring Monitor any webpage for changes – get instant email alerts when prices drop, new jobs are posted, products come back in stock, or competitors update their sites. See how the number of reviews and average review scores have changed over time.