Ancient city of Orik, Ancient archaeological site in Vlorë District, Albania.
The ancient city of Orik sits on a rocky hill overlooking Pasha-Liman bay with surviving walls and structures dating to the Hellenistic period. The settlement spreads across the hillside with rooms of various sizes that were integrated into the natural rock formation.
The settlement was founded in the 6th century BC and became a strategic harbor during the conflicts between Macedonia and Rome at the end of the 3rd century BC. This port location gave it importance in the ancient Mediterranean power struggles.
Residents carved dwelling spaces directly into the rocky hillside, adapting their homes to the natural terrain in practical ways. The varied sizes of these carved rooms show how people organized their living spaces within the stone itself.
The site is laid out as an archaeological park with multiple ancient structures that can be explored on foot, including a monumental fountain from the Hellenistic period. The hillside requires some climbing, so wear comfortable shoes and be careful on wet or uneven ground.
Sections of the original city walls now lie underwater in the adjacent lagoon, preserving remnants of the ancient maritime infrastructure. These submerged walls show how the coastline has shifted over the centuries.
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