Butrint is an archaeological site that provides valuable evidence of ancient and medieval civilizations on the territory of modern Albania.
Butrint harbors some of the most extensive archaeological remains in the Balkans: Greek, Illyrian, Roman, Venetian and Ottoman ruins co-exist here on a tiny green peninsula between a lake and the Straits of Corfu. The most illustrious parts of the rich Butrint archeological site are the Temple of Asklepios, the Old Amphitheater, Nymphaeum and the Baptistery, with its intact mosaic pavement dating to the early sixth century.The Butrint amphitheatre, dating from the 3rd century BC is situated at the foot of the acropolis, close by two temples, one of which is dedicated to Asclepios, the Greek god of medicine. The Balkan Theater Festival is held every July at the Butrint amphitheater. The sprawling Butrint fortress of the notorious Ali Pasha is practically surrounded by water, the castle on top housing an excellent museum, high above hollow shells of the ages. At Butrint the only tourists seen are day-trippers from Corfu. The present archaeological site of Butrint is a repository of the ruins representing each period in the Butrint city's development. The Butrint National Park has been established in 2000 by the Albanian Government, and supported with substantial funds of the Government, UNESCO and other institutions. The limits of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint were expanded in 1999 to include not only the walled city from the Greek, Roman and the Medieval periods (approximately 16 ha), but an additional 184 ha to better protect the site.
