- Albania 1930. Lake Butrint.
Butrint (1992 and 1999)
Albania
Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek
colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under
Byzantine administration, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was
abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present
archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the
city's development.
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Pogradec Mosaic |
Butrint Mosaic |
Butrint Mosaic |
Pogradec Mosaic |
Butrint Mosaic |
Apollonia Mosaic |
The civil disturbances in the country in early 1997 did not cause any irreversible damage to the archaeological site itself, but the showcases of the museum were opened and looted. No inventory of the stolen objects has yet been made, but fortunately the site's most famous treasure, the marble head of the 2nd-century BC “Goddess of Butrint” had been moved to Tirana before the event.
Although only Butrint has been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site, Pogradec and Apollonia are neighbouring excavations.
Sources and links:
Other World Heritage Sites in Albania (on this website). Eventually refer to the UNESCO-listing, Albania section, for further information on the individual properties.
Revised 18 aug 2007 |
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