Vlorë

Vlorë is a harbour town on the Strait of Otranto, the strait between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. It is only 90 kilometres across the sea from here to Italy. Vlorë is the third largest city in Albania.

The area was colonized by the ancient Greeks. At Triport, northwest of modern-day Vlorë, lies a large, now partially submerged port city that was inhabited from the 6th century BC to the 2nd century AD. It is believed that the ancient city of Triport was moved to the site of modern Vlorë. Vlorë was conquered by Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Venetians and Ottomans at various times throughout history.

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, Albanians gathered both spiritual and intellectual strength for a national consciousness, which eventually led to the Albanian Renaissance. Vlorë played a crucial role in Albania's independence. On November 28, 1912, Albania seceded from the Ottoman Empire for independence in Vlora and for a brief period Vlora was the capital of the new state.

Vlorë and its many beaches seen from the top of the mountain. In the distance is Sazan, Albania's largest island.