Byllis Archaeological Park

Byllis or Bullis or Boullis was an ancient city and the chief settlement of the Illyrian tribe of the Bylliones, traditionally located in southern Illyria [1]. The remains of Byllis are situated north-east of Vlorë, 25 kilometers from the sea in Hekal, Fier County [1]. The massive walls of Byllis were built around 350 BC when the Illyrians went through a dynamic development founding their own cities [1]. The urban settlement was built on the territory of the community of the Bylliones on an already existent Illyrian hilltop proto-urban area dating back to the previous century [1]. During the Roman-Illyrian war in 169/168 BC the Bylliones took part on the Roman side against the Illyrian king Gentius [1]. After a long decline, in 30 BC the city became a Roman colony [1]. In Roman times Byllis rose again, also becoming a bishopric in late antiquity [1]. The walls were 2.25 km long and 3.5 m wide, enclosing an area of 30 hectares around a steep hill [1].