The tour begins in Bastar, approximately 18 km from Tirana, in the mountainous territory of Zall-Bastar.
The village preserves one of the most unusual archaeological discoveries in the region. In 1955, during agricultural work, two ancient helmets were discovered in an area known as Qytezë, on a hill in Bastari i Mesëm.
The discovery consisted of:

• One Illyrian helmet
• One Corinthian helmet
• Both dating to approximately the 6th century BC
• Both discovered close together in a burial context
• Both now preserved side by side in the Archaeological Museum of Tirana

According to archaeologist Adem Bunguri, the quality, rarity, and cost of the helmets suggest that they belonged to members of the highest social and military elite, possibly princes or senior commanders.
The discovery immediately raises an extraordinary historical question:
Why were two different types of helmets buried together?
The Illyrian helmet is relatively well preserved and has a more regular appearance. The Corinthian helmet, however, bears a distinctive impact mark close to the eye, a trace that remains visible today.

Was the damage caused during combat?
Did both helmets belong to the same ruler?
Were two military leaders killed in the same conflict?
Could two opposing warriors have been buried together?
No definitive answer has yet been established.

The archaeological mystery is further complicated by the name Bastar.
The discovery site lies within a territory associated with the ancient Parthini, an Illyrian tribe known from classical sources.
Hasan Ceka proposed an intriguing connection between the name Bastar and a Paeonian king named Bastar, associated with the 4th century BC.
The Paeonians were an ancient people who inhabited territories in the northern Balkans, particularly around present-day North Macedonia.

This raises another fascinating question:
How did the name Bastar become associated with this territory?
The mystery becomes even more interesting because the Paeonian king Bastar is associated with coinage depicting an Illyrian-type helmet.

Several interpretations can therefore be considered:
• The name Bastar may have an ancient linguistic or geographical origin.
• The settlement may preserve the name of a historical ruler.
• The helmets may have belonged to an individual of exceptionally high status.
• The two helmets may represent two different warriors connected to a conflict.
• The burial may preserve evidence of an interaction between different cultural and military traditions.

One particularly intriguing hypothesis suggests that King Bastar may have possessed both helmets because of their exceptional value, died in this region, and was buried together with them.
According to this interpretation, the settlement may subsequently have preserved his name.
The theory remains unproven, but it adds another layer to the archaeological mystery of Bastar.

Two helmets, two traditions, one name—Bastar.

The journey continues toward Lake Bovilla, one of the most spectacular natural landscapes near Tirana.
Visitors can reach the area from Bastar on foot or, depending on road conditions and the selected route, by four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The landscape combines:
• Dramatic mountain slopes
• Green valleys and meadows
• Forests and pastures
• Clear mountain air
• Panoramic views over Lake Bovilla
• Traditional rural settlements

Bovilla offers an opportunity to step away from the urban environment of Tirana and experience the natural landscape of the surrounding mountains.
Visitors can enjoy a picnic in the green meadows around the lake or simply take time to appreciate the scenery and tranquility.
The area has retained much of its natural and authentic character, making it particularly attractive for visitors interested in nature, photography, hiking, and rural tourism.

The tour continues toward the mountain village of Vilëz, situated near the boundary between Tirana and Dibër.
The village offers one of the most impressive panoramic viewpoints in the region.

From the surrounding mountains, visitors can admire several major mountain landscapes simultaneously:
• Dajti
• Bovilla
• Tujan
• The mountains of Krujë and the region associated with Skanderbeg

On exceptionally clear days, the panorama can extend toward Tirana and Durrës.
Although the mountain roads can be difficult, the effort is rewarded by extraordinary views over the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges.
The area also offers an opportunity to experience traditional village life and the close-knit character of the local community.

The final part of the tour introduces visitors to the traditions and hospitality of the mountain villages around Bastar and Vilëz.
Local communities have preserved many elements of traditional rural life, including:
• Shepherding and livestock farming
• Traditional food preparation
• Family customs
• Knowledge transmitted between generations
• Respect for older members of the community
• Traditional hospitality
A visit to a local restaurant offers the opportunity to experience regional cuisine prepared according to recipes passed down through generations.

Traditional dishes may include:
• Byrek me qumësht
• Pulë me thërrime
• Other seasonal and locally prepared dishes

The meal provides an authentic conclusion to a journey that combines archaeology and nature with the living cultural heritage of the Tirana mountains.

The tour concludes after exploring Bastar, Bovilla, and the surrounding mountain villages.
Visitors leave with a story that combines an unresolved archaeological mystery, ancient peoples and rulers, spectacular landscapes, traditional food, and the hospitality of rural communities.
The two ancient helmets remain at the heart of the story.

Their discovery in Bastar raises questions that archaeology has not yet definitively answered: Who wore them? Why were they buried together? Were their owners allies or enemies? And what connection, if any, exists between the helmets, the name Bastar, and the ancient peoples who inhabited this region?

The answers remain uncertain—and this is precisely what makes Bastar such a fascinating destination.