Museum of Apollonia

The Archaeological Museum of Apolonia is an archaeological museum approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Fier, Albania. It was established in 1958. The museum contains artifacts unearthed nearby from the archaeological site of Apollonia and is close to the Ardenica Monastery. History The first attempts to conduct excavations in Apollonia were made during World War I by Austrian archaeologists who mainly unearthed and explored the walls that encircled the city. Systematic excavations began in 1924 by a French archaeological mission directed by Leon Rey, who brought to light a complex of monuments at the center of the city. During the late 1920s and 1930s, Rey pressed for an archaeological museum to house the artifacts his team uncovered but lack of finance prolonged it. Finally on October 8, 1936 the collection. Collection The museum is housed in a 14th-century building which was previously the monastery of St. Mary. It is accessed via a double wooden door and a grand entrance on the west side. The museum has 7 pavilions, a gallery and 2 porticos. The bulk of the collection is housed in 6 rooms on the ground floor to the north and west of the complex. An impressive collection of statues is located in a portico on the east side and number of historically important frescoes remain.