The Town of Apollonia was founded in the year 588 B.C. by Greek settlers from Korfu and Korinth. After an earthquake altered the river Vjosë in the 4th century and the repeated invasions of the 4th and 5th century the town got ruined. The extenisve privileges the town received during Roman rule allowed the development of many development and a bishop's see. In the 9th century the Shën Meri Monastery was founded on the territory of the now deserted town. (AA I, 14 (3); AA I, 528 (156-157); JG LT DIPL., 671 - episcopus civitatis Appoloniae, De la Polina, Apud Apolloniam).