Butrint this archaeological site was the first in Albania to be under UNESCO’s World Heritage protection. It is located in the south of Albania. However, it is also on the Ramsar list as a National Park. Butrint supports a large number of plants and animals considered as having an unfavorable conservation status either nationally or internationally, such as Numenius tenuirostris, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, and Monachus monachus. The area is also an important spawning ground, food source, and migration path for fish. The main activities are fishing, mussel farming, stock raising, vineyards, and cultural tourism.
A country within a country, that was Butrint during its blossoming days. Inhabited since the prehistoric times before Christ was born, Butrint was the center of Pelasgian, Hellenic, Roman, and Byzantine colonies. All these led to the abandonment of the city during medieval times until nowadays. People from all over the world come to visit such a wonder of history.
Buthrotum
Butrint is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in Albania. But, not only it is one of the most important, but it is also one of the biggest in the Balkans with an area of 9000ha including the lake. Also, Butrint is one of the 15 most important archaeological sites in the world according to some famous archaeologists. That because of its nature and the archaeological ruins.
The first mention of the city is done by Hekateus at the end of the 6th century BC. Also, Virgil the Roman poet in his poem Aeneid mentions this place. The history of this place and its name starts when with the Fall of Troy, where the emigrants of Troy, escaped the war by coming to this place. Helenus, the son of Priam decides to sacrifice a bull, the bull escapes and goes to this place. Helenus thinks that this was a good omen and decides to call the place Buthrotum, or Bue Ferito which means injured bull.
What else you need to know about Butrint
The area includes the lake where is the Ali Pasha Castle. He built the castle when the French army with Napoleon Bonaparte had invaded Corfu. He did not want the same luck for Albania so he made the castle and later on he gifted it to his wife.
Butrint is built in different periods of time. You can see ruins from the bronze age. This place was firstly discovered by Luigi Maria Ugolini, who was inspired by Virgil’s poem Aeneid. He wanted to see where the roman empire had reached. Ugolini talks about this with Mussolini to fund his research, which of course, Mussolini approves as he was trying to gain power in Europe. Ugolini spent 10 years in this place doing archaeological researches in this place.
What is interesting about Butrint?
What is interesting is that the walls by the theatre have Greek letters. Albanian women wrote these letters. Why ancient Greek? Albanian was just a spoken language but not written. Why by women and what do the walls say? Because women in Albania had power and in this wall are the 29 acts of slavery release. Need I remind you that Albania is one of the first countries to have a woman as a ruler and queen?!
It is important to remind that this place was considered to have the power of healing. Butrint had a temple in the honor of the healing/medicine God Asclepius. That’s the reason that by the theatre you can see the engraved snake that nowadays is part of the Pharmacy logo. Moreover, the theatre is built with the donations made to the temple of Asclepius. The theatre was important during that time because of the theatrical plays. But also important decisions on economy and politics were taken there.
This place is a magical wonder of the ancient civilizations that you need to explore. Ugolini thought that Butrint has 7 entrances to the city, but he discovered only 5.
Take your time, and do not miss this place of legends, myths, and the healing energy of Asclepius. Even nowadays his energy is present in this place.
Visit Butrint!
