Orikumi
The small city of Orikum lies on
the southern end of the Gulf of
Vlora, near a marina that can
berth 650 yachts. Orikum was
one of the most important
cities in the ancient world;
the settlers from the island of
Eubea founded it during their
retreat from the Trojan War.
Orikum’s strategic position
turned it into the main port
of the Illyrian Amant clan and
it played an important role in
the civil wars between Caesar
and Pompey. During the Byzantine period, the small port
of Orikum took the holy name
“Jerico”. This is because of the
presence of a Jewish community in the bay of Vlora. During
the Ottoman occupation, Orikum took the name of “Pasha
Liman”.
The most important archaeo-
logical object is the antique
theater of Orikum, with 400-
500 seats. Another notable
local site is the Church of
Marmiroi, from the Byzantine
period.
Orikum is a good start point if
you want to explore the pen-
insula of Karaburun, which encloses the western part of
the Gulf of Vlora. The western
shore of Karaburun is spectac-
ular, with small gulfs and iso-
lated beaches with deep and
clear water. The marine Cave
of Haxhi Alia (a 17th century
sailor from Ulqin) lies north
of the peninsula. Antique
writings have been found in
the steep slopes close to the
beach of Grame (the name
derives from the Greek word
Gramata). In this place was
supposed to be the ancient
temple of Ledea, a Pelasgian
princess.
