Vlore

About

Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC, the ancient port of Vlore is the epicenter of the nation’s pride, and dissent against oppression. In the 16th century, they welcomed the Jews fleeing the Iberian Peninsula, while in 1912, Vlore was where Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire, and briefly served as the nation’s capital. While Vlore Bay, the largest and deepest in the country is popular among beach-goers, the city has plenty of monuments and museums to discover. The Museum of Independence was the country’s first museum, and is dedicated to the birth of the nation. Vlore’s 16th century Muradije Mosque is the country’s last remaining building made by the famous architect Sinan the Great. And, be sure to try the city’s distinctive cuisine, which, thanks to its unique geographic position, means fresh seafood, and rustic pastoral dishes are both local specialties.