Butrint: A UNESCO Gem, Preserving Centuries of History

Butrint (originally Buthrotum in Latin) derives its name from the word ‘buthrotos,’ meaning ‘wounded bull.’ According to Greek mythological legend, the name stems from an incident where a bull intended for sacrifice on the island of Corfu escaped and swam to the mainland, which was interpreted as a divine sign. In response, the Greeks decided to establish a settlement at this location. Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest settled occupation of Butrint dates back to between the 10th and 8th centuries BC.

Helenus, son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, is considered the founder of Butrint. The settlement flourished as one of the major centers of the Greek tribe of the Chaonians. Its strategic location, providing access to the Straits of Corfu, led to its fortification around the 6th century BC. By this time, Butrint already boasted a theatre and sanctuary among its features.

In 228 BC, Butrint became a Roman protectorate, and over the next century, it became part of Macedonia. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar elevated it to the status of a Roman colony, rewarding his soldiers who had fought against Pompey by granting them land to settle there. To accommodate the growing population, marshland was reclaimed, leading to significant expansion of the settlement. During this period, several notable structures, including an aqueduct, a Roman bath, a nymphaeum, and a forum complex, were added. Butrint thrived as a major port in the province of Old Epirus throughout the Roman period.

However, in late antiquity, signs of decline began to emerge. Eventually, an earthquake struck, destroying large parts of the town, and it was ultimately abandoned.

In the late 5th century, extensive rebuilding efforts commenced under Byzantine rule. Following several conflicts and the declining power of the Byzantine Empire, control of Butrint passed to the Angevins, who later sold it, along with Corfu, to the Venetians in 1386. Subsequently, the region changed hands multiple times, alternating between Venetian and Ottoman control. In 1797, the area briefly fell under French sovereignty before being conquered and occupied by the Ottoman governor Ali Pasha Tepelena in 1799. During the Ottoman occupation, the town was largely deserted and remained uninhabited for centuries.

Butrint regained significance when it became part of independent Albania in 1913. In 1992, Butrint was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becoming Albania’s most visited historical site.