Butrint, on the coast of Albania across from the island of Corfu, is an astonishing blend of architecture. Founded in the 6th century BC, the strategically important port was owned by Greeks, Romans, Normans, Venetians, Byzantines and Ottomans, all of whom left their imprint on the city's architecture.
Portion of a mosaic installed for the emperor Justinian in his 5th century basilica at Butrint. Photo by PawelMM
The astounding architectural variety of Butrint's ruins (second only to Constantinople in Turkey) owes a lot to its location on a promontory jutting into the Mediterranean. There it played crucial roles in battles for trade supremacy by both the Roman Caesar Augustus and the Ottoman Pasha of Ioannina, some 18 centuries later. But really, you should read all about it...
- Butrint, Albania, my summary of the history and recent archaeological research there
- Explore Butrint, the official webpage
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