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We hope you leave time to explore the local sights. View Local Map from Google Local Attractions • Museum of Independence 0.1 km MUSEUM OF INDEPENDENCE 
(0.1 km north of Vlora International Hotel) The museum is housed in
a 19th century building in Vlora. During 1912-1913 it was the residency
of the provisional government of Albania. On display at the museum are
artifacts from the fight for independence waged by Albanians. Of special
interest are the rooms where the first Albanian prime minister worked,
the meeting room, a photographic camera from 1912 etc.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF ORIKUM Begin your journey by heading south from Vlora, on the National Road,
follow the signs towards Vlora Bay, city of Orikum and Pashaliman Army
Base to the Archaeological Park of Orikum. According to Pseudo-Scymnos,
an anonymous Greek author and geographer, the city of Orikum was settled
by the lost Euboeans, who were blown off course by strong winds on their
return voyage from the battle of Troy, in the 12th-14th centuries B.C.
Today preserved in a national park, the ancient city sits on a favorable
geographical position where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet. As well
as its proximity to Italy and Greece, this made Orikum an important
harbor on the Adriatic coast. Orikum was later occupied by the Romans
as a defensive base in their wars against the Illyrians and the Macedonians
in the 3rd century B.C. Archeological evidence shows that Orikum was
a developed urban center, with an amphitheater that could hold around
400 spectators. Submerged under the Orikum lagoon, the city’s
elaborate network of roads can be still seen today. Cost of admission
ranges from 200 lek for Albanian visitors to 700 lek for foreign visitors.
No guided tours are currently available, though locally-produced guidebooks
are available for sale at the park entrance. An average visit lasts
30 – 90 minutes. Park hours are 09h00 – 16h30 daily. CASTLE OF KANINA
MARMIROI CHURCH (33 km southeast of Vlora - approx. 40 minutes on the Vlora-Saranda National Road and secondary road)
NATIONAL PARK OF LLOGARA | ||||
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Begin
your journey by heading south from Vlora, turn off the Vlora-Saranda
National Road towards the village of Kanina. Originally constructed
in the 3rd century B.C., the Castle of Kanina was later rebuilt by Emperor
Justinian in the 5th century A.D. Climb to the top of the castle walls
to enjoy the breathtaking views of Vlora Bay. Visitors are advised to
use caution when ascending or descending on the slippery stone. Admission
is free.
On the outskirts of the Archaeological
Park of Orikum is the Marmiroi Church, located on the primary access
road to the park. Dating back to the time of Byzantine Emperor Theodorus,
around the 13th century A.D., the church walls still contain fragments
of Byzantine wall paintings and frescos. Traces of the church's narthex
are also still intact. 
Begin your journey by heading south from Vlora towards
Llogara National Park, on the National Road. As the road turns away
from the sea and climbs up into the mountains, roadside vendors sell
honey, beeswax, carrots and persimmon to passersby. Watch for a small
sign indicating the Flag Pine National Monument ("Pishe e Flamuri")
near the top of the mountain pass. A marvel of nature, this 100 year-old
pine tree, 20 m high and 75 cm in diameter, is shaped by the strong
winds blowing north from the Ionian Sea through the Llogara Pass to
the Adriatic Sea, shaping the tree's limbs into the form of a flag.
Just a few kilometers past the Flag Pine, at the top of the Llogara
Pass, is a wide selection of traditional Albanian restaurants, featuring
southern Albanian cuisine. All restaurants are open year-round, with
some offering lodging at attached tourist villages, hotels, and campgrounds.
Even though the restaurants are located so close between the two seas,
locals will advise you instead to try the freshly roasted lamb, served
family-style with fried potatoes and a variety of mixed salads. Fresh
pastas, vegetables, and a variety of fish and meats are also readily
available. If you are looking for a lighter fare, try the traditional
Albanian travelers' menu of rice pilaf and beef stew ("tasqebap e pilaf").
As you exit Llogara pass (910m above sea level) to the south, brace
yourself for the breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea. A few wise investors
have built cafes and restaurants for travelers to enjoy the view over
coffee or a traditional snack of yoghurt with honey and walnuts ("kos
me arra me miele"). On a clear day, visitors may be able to see the
Greek island of Corfu in the distance. 
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