The Illyrian city of Amantia was built in the 5th century BC and is one of the most interesting treasures and ruins of Albania, located on a hill in the city of Vlora. The special feature of the ancient city are the dwellings and fortifications that were built on a difficult mountainous terrain. It is however mentioned as an episcopal center in late antiquity, and the early Christian ruins of a basilica that can be visited.
In the 3rd century BC the city became economically stronger and issued its first coins. The most important part is the ruins of the ancient stadium built with stone blocks, around the 3rd century BC. Amantia was founded in the 5th century BC, on a hill where the maximum height reaches 613 meters above sea level. The special feature of the ancient city are the dwellings and fortifications that were built on a difficult mountainous terrain. The most important and at the same time the most beautiful part to visit in this park are the ruins of the ancient stadium built with stone blocks, around the 3rd century BC. The ruins show that the stadium had 17 stone rows for spectators and a central stand, with a horseshoe-shaped track 12.50 wide. The names of high officials or individuals have also been engraved on the vertical sides of the seats
Some of the other ruins of the ancient city include the Temple of Aphrodite, Arched Gate, Monumental Tombs, etc. An inscription dedicated to the reconstruction of the temple of Aphrodite seems to be related to this very temple. The temple built in the 3rd century BC continued to be used in the first centuries AD. While the necropolis was located in the western part on the side of the main road that came from the Bay of Vlora. Groups of monumental graves are also found on the side of the road coming from the Bylin territory. The earliest graves have the shape of an ark created with large hewn stone slabs similar to those of Bylis Archaeological Park.
The city of Amantia began to lose its position after the construction of Egnatia Street. It is however mentioned as an episcopal center in late antiquity, and the early Christian ruins of a basilica can be seen. The period of abandonment of the city is said to have been the 6th century AD.
