General

The trip starts at the bus stop in Durres. Around 07:30 the group meets with the guide; during this time the guide makes a short description of itinerary. At 8:00, we leave for Ardenicë..

At 9:30 we are in the Ardenica Monastery, which was built in 1282 by the Byzantine Emperor Andronik II, some others think that this monastery has laid its groundwork on the groundwork of a pagan temple, which also explains its name Ardenica which is derived from the name of the Artemian goddess. But what makes this monastery more special is the fact that here he has crowned his marriage to Gjergj Kastrioti with Donika, a fact which is mentioned for the first time by Lorenconi

In the center of it is the church "The Birth of Saint Mary" which was built with stones bro- ught from Apollonia which makes its existence up to the present day possible. When we visit the Ardenica Monastery, we will see the icons crafted by Zografi masters who adorned the church walls in 1744. Mostly their themes are taken from the events shown in the Old Testament and the New Testament. have also devoted an icon of renowned musician durrsak Jan Kukuzeli. Also here we will have the pleasure to look at icons crafted by master Kostandin Shpataraku who in one of his icons has also presented Prince Karl Topia. Here we will also see prominent figures of the Orthodox clergy. These are only one side of this monastery, as it is in many documents as one of the most important centers of knowledge, as there were about 32,000 volumes brought there by Western European countries but all this literary fortune was burned in 1932.

After all this part we will be able to enjoy a wonderful lunch in the fresh air. We can also enjoy a a magical panorama that shakes us all over the Western Lowlands.

After that we can go back to Durres along with the pictures and the unforgettable impressions.