Durres is one of the oldest cities in Albania, the country's main seaport, the second largest major industrial center after Tirana. Durres is located on a small peninsula on the Adriatic coast. Its population is approximately 85,000 people. Durres was founded in 627 BC by the Corinths and colonists of Korkir, on the site of the ancient settlement of the Illyrian tribe of Taulant. Its name comes from the ancient Epidamnus, Dyrrach, and Dirrachium. Due to its population and trade with other places, the city flourished. Starting from the 5th century BC, Durres produced metals, ceramics, fabrics and leather, as well as shipyards for the manufacture of ships. Durres was a city-state with slaves and a working class. Old coins found in the Durres area are proof of its economic development in the ancient period - it was the city that launched the Illyrian Drachma. Arts and architecture flourished. In 229 BC, Durres came under the rule of Rome, although it retained some autonomy. The city was finally turned into a Roman colony during the reign of Augustus, around 20 BC. The ruins of the Byzantine and Venetian fortresses are still preserved here, from the "Venetian Tower" in the harbor, the medieval city wall goes to the Amphitheater (I-II centuries AD), on the territory of which an early Christian crypt with a rare-beautiful wall mosaic was discovered. The Amphitheater itself still looks quite impressive and is considered the hallmark of the city, majestically rising on the constantly sunlit hillside inside the fortress walls. Most excursions in Durres begin with the Archaeological Museum, which overlooks the promenade near the port with its walls. Behind the museum are the walls of a Byzantine city of the 6th century (built after the Visigoths invasion in 481 AD), reinforced with round Venetian towers in the 14th century. The old palace of King Ahmet Zog is located west of the amphitheater, and in front of it stands a statue of the founder of the country - Skanderbeg. The Roman baths behind the Alexander Moisu Theater in the central square are also noteworthy. Not far from the city is the popular sea resort Durres Beach.