Amantia was an ancient city and the main settlement of the Amantes, traditionally located in southern Illyria in classical antiquity. In Hellenistic times the city was either part of Illyria or Epirus. In Roman times it was included within Epirus Nova, in the province of Macedonia. The site has been identified with the village of Ploçë, Vlorë County, Albania. Amantia was designated as an archaeological park on 7 April 2003 by the government of Albania.
Arched entrance in Amantia
Gate
Stadium
Basilica
The Amantes were an ancient tribe located in the inland area of the Bay of Vlora north of the Ceraunian Mountains and south of Apollonia, in southern Illyria near the boundary with Epirus, nowadays modern Albania. A site of their location has been identified with the archaeological settlement of Amantia, placed above the river Vjosë/Aoos. Amantia is considered to have been their main settlement. The Amantes also inhabited in the area of an ancient sanctuary of the eternal fire called Nymphaion.
A bronze coin bearing with the heads of Zeus and Dione on the obverse (left) and the legend ΑΜΑΝΤΩΝ (AMANTON) and a serpent on the reverse (right).
View of the landscape surrounding Amantia.
God of fertility holding a cornucopia, 3rd-2nd century BCE from Amantia, now in the Archaeological Museum of Tirana, Albania.
Acropolis of Amantia