6 hours
Daily Tour
20 people
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Butrint Day Trip takes you to one of the most amazing archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. To clarify Butrint is located in the south of Albania approximately 20km from the modern city of Saranda.
Butrint is the most important archeological site in Albania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
It has been known since the 7th century B.C., as the most important city of Epirus.
There are many sights to see within Butrinti. The most interesting ones are the Temple of Asclepius (the 2nd century B.C. God of Good Health), a 1,500- seat theater from the 3rd century B.C.
Situated 18 km south of Saranda city, it has an area of 2500 km2 and consists of forest, lake, and the ancient city. Butrint forest covers his entire peninsula with an area of 13 ha.
The Lake of Butrint, of former ancient Pelodesi, is one of the tectonic-largest marine lakes of Albania, with an area of 16.3km2 and a depth of 24 m. This watershed is characterized by clean water, fish, mussels, and wild birds.
The Baptismal (a paleochristian monument), as well as the nymphet, the baths, the stoa (covered walkway), the Lake Gate, the Lion Gate, the Venetian fortress of Ali Pasha, and many others.
Besides its historical value, Butrint is known for its marvelous ecological system. The ruins and the buildings of the city stand among an amazing subtropical jungle, with plenty of high woods.
Close to the water, the gentle climate and the beauty of the surrounding National Park provide a splendid environment for sightseeing, walking, bird watching, and unique encounters with archeology in pure nature. Entering the site of Butrint the visitors’ view is captured by the impressive Venetian tower (15th century).
The first Theatre from the 4th-century BC was founded by donations to the Sanctuary but was rebuilt and enlarged during Roman rule. Butrinti from the 5th century had a bishop and the Great Basilica, which is today one of the other highlights of Butrinti.
After visiting the theatre, you are going to pass the spectacular circuit wall of Butrint, dating back to the 4th century AD, and the Lion Gate (5th century). Along fortifications from Roman, medieval, and Venetian times the visitors reach the former Acropolis, now occupied by the castle, a reconstruction of the medieval building of the 1930s.
Not to miss, the museum, which charts the history of Butrint as a microcosm of Mediterranean history, intimately connected to its location within a lagoon micro-region and landscape.
The former ancient city of Butrint used to stretch along the city walls and the Virna field. According to mythology, the city was founded by the son of King Priam of Troy, Helenius. Butrint took the name the scarification of a bull, which in Greek means Buthrotos. The bull was sacrificed by a Troya warrior, Aeneas. After the Roman conquest, Butrint was declared as a Municip in the beginning and after that, a colony.
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Next you will drive for about 35 minutes to Butrinti Archeological Park across Ksamil town. As you drive to the archeological site you can enjoy the panorama over Vivari Channel and learn about the Ali Pasha military outpost built around the 19th century to guard Corfu strait. In the archeological site you will be guided through its well preserved monuments beginning with the Venetian tower and continuing through the green vegetation to the temple of Asclepius and Agora. Next we walk to the Baptistry, Episcopal Palace, Church, the castle and Museum. The settlement goes as far back as the Bronze age believed to have been founded by the Trojan prince Heleni, son of King Priam. In the beginning it served as a trading post between the inlanders and the merchants sailing from Corfu. Later on it grew into a small town where the centre of the city was the temple dedicated to Asclepius, God of Medicine around the 3rd century BC. During the Roman Period the settlement became a Roman colony changing significantly. After the Roman expansion the city grows again during the Byzantine period when it became an episcopal centre. Later on during the Venetian rule the city shrunk in size and importance to become just a small fisherman village. The last period to be inhabited was during the 19th century when this area was part of Ioannina principality under the rule of Ali Pasha Tepelena.
In the end of our visit we take a coffee break in the Archeological park and return to the city of Saranda where our tour ends.
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