At the foot of Mount Kruja, near the village of Zgërdhesh, there is an archaeological site that some scholars consider to be the remains of the Illyrian city of Albanopolis. The site is not one of the most magnificent in Albania, yet it can be a pleasant stop when visiting nearby Krujë.
Albanopolis was mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC as the capital of the mythical Albanon which was – at least according to most Albanian historians – the ancient state, after which the Albanian nation got its name.
Like other Illyrian cities, Albanopolis was built on a hill. Its area is said to have been ten hectares. The acropolis dates back to the early Iron Age (about 1000 BC), while later fortifications date from the 4th-3rd centuries BC. You will see the remnants of watchtowers and walls constructed of massive stone blocks.
At the sign “Albanopolis” turn off the main road from Fushë-Krujë to Krujë and head for the village of Halilaj. After about 2 km, the last few hundred metres on a gravel road, you will arrive at a small parking lot. From there it is only a few steps to the excavations.
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