3.12.2010 by Lupo.

Antigonia (Chaonia)

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Epirus in antiquity

Antigonea (Greek: Αντιγόνεια), also transliterated as Antigonia and Antigoneia, was the chief inland city of ancient Chaonia. Pyrrhus of Epirus, the founder, named it after one of his wives, Antigone, daughter of Berenice.

Its ruins are located just south of the village of Saraqinisht in the Antigonë municipality, Gjirokastër District, Albania. Now that area has been declared a National Archaeological Park by the Albanian Government. The ruins are accessible from Gjirokastër by car or by nature trail.^[1]

The Archeological Park is known for having organized since 2007 a yearly Festival of the Pagan Rites and the Popular Games (Albanian: Festivali Riteve Pagane dhe Lojnave Popullore).^[2]

[edit] See also

• List of cities in ancient Epirus

[edit] External links and references

• Antigonea National Archaeological Park

1. ^ Antigonea Archaeological Park website
2. ^ Llojdia, Gezim (2010-06-01). “Pagan rites in Antigonia (Albanian: RITE PAGANE NE ANTIGONE)”. Fjala e Lire. http://www.fjalaelire.com/index.php/http-fjalaelire-com-reportazhe-php/pershkrime/5804.html.

Surrounded by the beautiful Drinos Valley, a visit to Antigonea offers ample opportunities to experience the remarkable nature of Southern Albania, including over 5 km of marked trails leading to the Park entrance.

The trails provide a chance to experience the special natural heritage of this region and connect to the village communities of Gjirokastra.

Antigonea Archaeological Park, nestled in the Drino Valley several kilometers away from the UNESCO Heritage City of Gjirokastra, plays an important role in the development of Southern Albania. Founded by King Pyrrhus in 295 B.C., Antigonea led a tumultuous existence, rising to become a pivotal trading center in the Drino Valley of Southern Albanian (at that time ancient Chaonia) before being leveled to the ground in the aftermath of the Macedonian Wars a mere 150 years after its founding.

Easily accessible from Gjirokaster by car or by nature trail, Antigonea and its surroundings are a rich mixture of regional history and natural beauty.

http://antigonea.com/InEnglish.aspx

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHcGcZSfDkU

info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigonia_%28Chaonia%29

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