ALBANIA: Portrait of a Country in Transition - Tapa dura

'Albania and its marvellous archaeology remained a mystery to us until 20 years ago. Now, with this ground-breaking guidebook, Oliver Gilkes describes not only the well-known archaeological 'jewels' like Apollonia and Butrint, but also myriad unknown places that are no less fascinating and well worth visiting. This book is a first for the Balkans and its author is to be congratulated for preparing such a comprehensive and well-illustrated list of important sites.' - Lord Rothschild

Albania is one of the youngest European states and the last country to emerge from the collapse of Ottoman Turkish power at the beginning of the 20th century. Underlying Albania's often-turbulent history is an extraordinary archaeological heritage of international significance, the evidence of which is to be found everywhere in the cities and countryside, hills and mountains. Each year, thousands of tourists visit Albania, drawn primarily to the vast archaeological site at Butrint - now almost forgotten, but viewed by historians as the Marseilles of its time as late as the Middle Ages - but also experiencing a number of the other archaeological and heritage sites which Albania has to offer, including Shkodra, Apollonia and Berat. In addition to these sites, there are a number of lesser-known, but nonetheless exquisite sites and monuments which visitors are often unaware of. This guide provides a unique introduction to 50 of Albania's archaeological sites, enabling visitors to enjoy the best-known sites, but also to venture out to the more remote monuments, many in stunning locations. This book will lead the visitor in the footsteps of Odysseus, Caesar and Lord Byron, through Illyrian valleys and over breathtaking mountain passes to explore the beautiful country of Albania and its archaeological heritage.