The Archaeological Park of Antigonea is located near the village of Saraqinisht, in the province of Lunxhëria, about 14 km east of the city of Gjirokastra. It is one of the largest and most important ancient cities on the territory of Albania, serving as the main settlement in the Drino Valley. Antigonea was founded in 295 BC by King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who named the city in honor of his first wife, Antigone. During the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, the city developed as an economic, cultural and political center in the form of a fortified polis with walls about 4000 meters long. Today, the park offers many attractions, including mosaics, columns, promenades, an ancient scale and defensive walls.
The Drino Valley in the Gjirokastra district is known for its archaeological wealth with over 20 ancient settlements and sites, including cities, fortifications, temples and theaters. Antigonea stands as the main center of this ancient civilization and is a destination of great importance for cultural tourism and archaeological studies in Albania.
