Vlorë is the third most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Vlorë County and Vlorë Municipality. Located in southwestern Albania, Vlorë sprawls on the Bay of Vlorë and is surrounded by the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains along the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea Coasts. It experiences a Mediterranean climate, which is affected by the Ceraunian Mountains and the proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.

Vlorë was founded as Aulon as an Ancient Greek colony on the Illyrian coast and was conquered at different periods throughout history by Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Venetians and Ottomans. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the Albanians gathered both spiritual and intellectual strength for national consciousness, which conclusively led to the Albanian Renaissance. Vlorë played an instrumental role in Albanian Independence as an epicenter for the founders of modern Albania, who signed the Declaration of Independence on 28 November 1912 at the Assembly of Vlore.

The history and geographical extent of Vlora Municipality

Vlora is located in a very convenient position in the center of the bay with the same name. Strategic position for communication with the coast of Italy, and a good comunication with the background and the appropriate climate have created conditions for bay feeding since the earliest periods. A big number archaeological sites and monument periods of different of Vlora history. Prehistoric Paleolithic periods , Mesolithic and Neolithic are well represented by the archaeological sites in Triport, and the rock shelter of Rëza e Kanalit near the Dukati plain. Starting from the Bronze Age and along the antiquity at strategic points around the bay, a series of important urban centers rises. Throughout this period, Kanina and Triporti are centers that provide access to the sea to Amantia, while Oriku is an independent center and an important port, with an economic influence confirmed by currency flows with his name. The Roman period diminishes the importance of these fortified hill centers and gradually attention is run by to Aulona. Aulona (ancient Vlora) is one of the most important antic and medieval coastline centers. Seaside town is mentioned in almost all itineraries of imperial period, as a pier suitable for those coming from Hydrunti (Otranto, Italy) or Brindisi, but primarly as a station on the road from Apollonia to Butrint. According to historical sources, in late antiquity it became a bishopric center and at the same time, it was one of the eight most important centers of the Province of New Epirus. The presence of one the continuous road station, but also of the bishopric headquarters, were an indication that Aulona of this time was fortified. Antique walls of ancient Aulona are found in the flowering area west of Flag Square, after the Independence Monument. The archaeological excavation proves that the fortification was used from the c. IV to c. XIV. The city of Vlora in documentary sources of medieval, often mentioned in a binomial with Kanina (Caninam et Aulonam). It is one of the most important centers of Albanian coastline during the Middle Ages. With the fall of Kanina in 1417 at the hands of the Ottomans, Vlora gradually begins to become a center dministration for the entire Vlora bay, Labëria area and the coast of Himara. Becaus of the strategic importance Sulltan Sulejman in the middle of the century. XVI, built a rectagonal fortress near pier and at the same time the Muradie Mosque which is also the most preserved monument of this period. For Albania`s modern history and state-building, Vlora returns to symbol city when on November 28, 1912, Ismail Qemali, progeny of the famous family of Vlora proclaims the independence of the Albanian state. Expulsion of the Italian army that occupied the city, called the War of Vlora in 1920, enabled the armies of other neighbors states that claimed territories from the newly formed Albanian state, to leave thus confirming the important role the city has in the history of Albania. The architecture of the centuary XIX-XX, it is quite well preserved in the historic center and in many buildings with public and private functions. Cultural heritage and extraordinary history, together with the magnificent landscape of Vlora bay and a range of natural monuments around it, turn this city into an incomparable tourist attraction.