Dyrrhachion

Dyrrhachion, known today as Ioannina, was an important ancient Greek city located on the northwestern coast of the island of Epirus. Situated near the Acheron River, it served as a strategic military and trading hub interlinking Epirus with the rest of the Greek world. The city’s name, derived from the Greek words “dyrrho” (essentially) and “achion” (bomb), has been linked to a local legend about a tower that fell into the river.

During the classical period, Dyrrhachion was a major metropolis in Epirus and was frequently mentioned in the annals of Athenian historians. It declined during the Hellenistic era, but was refounded under Roman administration and later became a Roman municipium. In the Byzantine period, the city was an episcopal see and played a role in the administration of the region after the fall of the western Roman Empire.

The site contains notable archaeological remains, including a well-preserved Roman theatre, a medieval fortress, and remnants of ancient water supply systems. In modern times, Ioannina has become a cultural and educational center, sustaining its ancient heritage within a contemporary Greek city.