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Durrës Archaeological Museum & Galan Trio: Culture in Coastal Albania
- Jenn & Leon
- Nov 14, 2022
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 31
This fascinating museum is the largest of its kind in Albania and was host to the wonderful Galan Trio for what was a pretty awesome date night.
Recommended by our Airbnb host, our visit was a last minute impulse decision that we are most grateful to have done!
The performance was excellent, as was the setting, ambience, and the very special meaning behind the music.
In case you didn't know, we absolutely love history and we are always attracted to museums.
We had not planned on coming here before we arrived in Durrës, so the suggestion from our host was well received!
Of course, the addition of a Piano Trio was a significant bonus and kind of typical of our travels; opportunities like this always seem to manifest, and we are most grateful for them!
Read on for more on our fantastic experience here, including museum highlights, a video snippet of the Galan Trio performance and more information on the special story behind the concert.
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About the Archaeological Museum of Durrës
The Archaeological Museum of Durrës in Albania was first opened in 1951, and has a collection of over 3000 artefacts.
A vast majority are from the Greek and Roman periods, when the city was widely known as Dyrrhachium.
Durrës was once a centre of worship for the Greek Goddess Venus, and such is the historical importance of some of the pieces that there are growing calls for this to become a national museum.
It is currently operated by the Regional Directorate of Durrës Monuments.
The museum has a lovely vibe, and we both love Greek and Roman history, so we were in our element!
The Archaeological Museum is a great place to observe the life of people in Durrës thousands of years ago.
Alongside the aforementioned Greek and Roman collections, you can also find many Hellenistic and Byzantine artifacts that highlight the prominence of this region.
All of the pieces have information detailed in English as well as Albanian, which we appreciated!
There is a particularly large display of terracotta busts with artifacts referencing not just Venus but also the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite.
This was a welcome highlight for us as we got engaged at Aphrodite's Rock in Cyprus and have always held a very high regard for this special Goddess.
Additionally, there are tons of coins, engraved tombstones, milestone markers, Roman & Greek statues, and even a kiln for baking clay!
Not that you could tell today, but the museum itself suffered heavy damage from rioting and looting in the 1997 Albanian Revolution.
It was gradually restored but closed its doors for 4 years in 2011 for further upgrades and improvements.
It continues to attract funding for further renovations and has enjoyed more exposure and prominence in recent years.
Keep reading to find out more about the exciting Galan Trio, highlights of their performance, and a sneak peek of our other adventures in Albania.
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Who are the Galan Trio?
Galan Trio is a Greek band of 3 artists: Petros Bouras (piano), Dimitra Triantafyllou (violin), and Marina Kolovou (cello).
Originally soloists, they came together in 2012 with a vision of performing classical music in a fresh new way.
They include video art, light shows and dancing to accompany their unique interpretations. In September 2018, Babis Karasavvidis became their new violinist.
They have performed live in China, Greece, Armenia, and a host of other countries.
Their debut album 'Switch' received critical acclaim and was broadcast around the world.
They have shared the stage with a host of other major names in the industry and 'Ararat' is the latest composition that they have released for their ever-growing audience.
For upcoming events, latest news, and more, check out the Galan Trio website here.
The Ararat Concert
This project has been performed in several countries around the Balkans and Greek states, and its journey began 4 years ago.
It is a beautiful concert underwritten by music created by no less than six different composers, all from different countries.
To ensure cohesion and flow to the compositions, the theme 'Six Perspectives of Mount Ararat' was born.
In Armenian, every element of the word 'Ararat' has a different meaning, which is represented individually by the composers.
As stated on the concert programme: 'The story of Noah's Ark, stranded on the slopes of Mount Ararat after long, aimless wandering.
The most important thing in this story is hope. To keep hoping even when everything has sunk, disappeared, and nothing can be seen.
But somewhere there is a mountain on whose flanks we might rest. Ararat is a symbol for all who believe in a life powered by indomitable hope.' - David Haladjian.
The nearly 2-hour performance was flawless, and the journey and meaning were evident in each of the six pieces of music.
We were completely enamoured by the setting and the beautiful tones. Galan Trio were superb and we thoroughly enjoyed the Ararat Concert!
How to Get to the Archaeological Museum of Durrës
Located near the Adriatic coast in central Durrës, Albania, the Durrës Archaeological Museum is the largest of its kind in the country and sits just steps from the seaside promenade.
It’s a must-visit for history lovers and is easily accessible by various transport options.
On Foot (from City Center or Amphitheatre)
The museum is an easy 10-minute walk from the Durrës Amphitheatre and just 5 minutes from Shëtitorja Taulantia, the main beachfront promenade.
Follow the waterfront path eastward past cafés and statues until you see the museum’s striking modern facade.
By Car
By Bus
By Taxi or Rideshare
By Bicycle or E-Scooter
⪢ Consider Taking a Tour
One of the most popular ways to visit Durres is by tour. Book day trips from the capital, Tirana, explore popular spots like Bovilla Lake, Gamti Mountain, and Grunas Waterfall with Get Your Guide.
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⪢ Contact Information for the Archaeological Museum of Durrës
Address: Rruga Taulantia 32, Durrës 2000, Albania
The museum is temporarily closed for renovations as of April 2025. We will update this post when more information becomes available about the reopening.
Our Experience Rating
As far as date nights go, this one is right up there for us. It was unexpected, having been recommended just a few hours before the event but it is those types of opportunities which tend to turn out to be the best ones.
The setting inside the museum could not have been more perfect as the music enchanted and dazzled.
It was very spiritual and you could feel the energy from not just the sounds but the epic artefacts too. This one will not be forgotten any time soon, that is for sure!
FAQ: Visiting the Archaeological Museum of Durrës – History Meets Harmony
Where is the Archaeological Museum of Durrës located?
The museum is located on the Durrës seafront, just a short walk from the main promenade and beach. It’s situated near the old Roman walls and close to other historic landmarks like the Durrës Amphitheatre.
What kind of exhibits does the museum feature?
What are the opening hours and ticket prices?
Is the museum suitable for children or casual visitors?
Are the displays labeled in English?
How long should I plan for a visit?
Was there a live music performance during your visit?
Who are the Galan Trio?
Is the museum accessible for people with mobility needs?
Can I take photos inside the museum?
Easily Find Hotels in Durres and Beyond
Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels in Durres, sourced from various reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com.
Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination.
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Your FREE Interactive Map of Albania
Check out all of the places we visited in Albania courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog.
Tap any of the numbers for more information, including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews, and much more.
Wanderlog is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends.
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Head over to our Travel Hub – it’s packed with free country guides, helpful travel blogs, videos from the road, and tips to help you travel smarter (and cheaper!).
Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already out exploring, we've got resources to help you every step of the way.
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