Albania

Butrint (Buthrotum) and Saranda

September 2004

The Agora – the area of the city where the social buildings were found. In the distance, behind the guide, is the Sanctuary of Asclepius and the Theatre. The Sanctuary of Asclepius The theatre – a new wooden floor has been provided so that peformances can be held once again, the original floor being below the water table. The hewn stone seating dates from the Hellenic (3rd century BC) period.

At Butrint, in southern Albania, are the remains of the ancient city of Buthrotum. Established in the 7th century BC as a fortified centre overlooking the waters of the Butrint Lake and the Vivar Channel (which connects the lake to the sea), it remained in occupation until the 19th century. The remains cover all periods – Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, Angevine, and Venetian.
Inscribed stone in the entrance passageway of the theatre relating to the freeing of slaves. The theatre stage, as reconstructed by the Romans in the second century AD. The caldarium of the Roman bath house in the agora

Excavation of the site has been in progress since 1928 when the Italian archaeologist Ugolini began eight years of work. Further excavations were halted by the war in 1940, only resuming in 1970. They have continued ever since. However, only a fraction of the entire site has yet been explored.
Roman Temple of Minerva in the agora Roman well next to the Stoa, a building used by pilgrims to the Sanctuary of Asclepius. Nymphaeum in the Gymnasium

The site is divided into three principal areas – the Agora, in which the principal social buildings such as the Sanctuary of Asclepius and the Theatre were located, the Lower City, and the Acropolis.
Detail of one of the niches in the Gymnasium nymphaeum, showing the face of Dionysius in mosaic The Paleochristian Baptistery, adapted from the rooms of a Roman public baths towards the end of the 6th century. The mid-6th century Basilica church. It continued in use until the 17th century.

The region is seismically-active and this has resulted in the land at Butrint subsiding so that parts of the site are now below the water table. The old Agora area was worst affected (it still is) and was abandoned in the 5th and 6th centuries AD and was subsequently covered by preserving silt.
Mosaic on the floor of the Basilica church (enhanced photo). The Lion Gate in the 4th century BC city walls. The gate was reconstructed in its current form to restrict access, the carved stone (showing a lion attacking a bull) being reused from another part of the site. The restored Venetian tower on the Acropolis.

The port of Saranda, about 25km north of Butrint, has a daily ferry service to Corfu and has hopes of establishing itself as a tourist resort.
Looking down onto the Agora from the Acropolis, showing the Roman bath house (ahead) and the Theatre (right). Looking down from the Venetian Tower across the Vivar Channel to the three-sided Angevin fort, with another Venetian tower, known as the Fort of Ali Pasha, between. Excavations on the site of a Byzantine church in the port of Saranda, some 25km north of Butrint.

Updated: 27 September 2004