Today we set off for a journey through 3,000 years of history by visiting the ancient walled city of Butrint – a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992. Located on a small wooded promontory at the southern end of Lake Butrint, the city was built on a promontory beside a small Vivari canal that joins the lake to the sea. The Albanian government established a 9,424 hectare National Park around the site in 2003 to protect the wetland area that is home to246 species of birds, 105 species of fish, diverse reptiles and 800 kinds of plants, 16 of which are endangered.
According to the ancient legends, the refugees of Troy founded the city, although archaeologists have only found remains that date back to the 4th century B.C. which was the Hellenistic period of Greece. Because of its strategic location adjacent to the narrowest point on the straight that separates the island of Corfu from the mainland, the city was conquered by the Romans, became an important Christian site during the Byzantine period, was taken over by Venice shortly after the 4th Crusade in 1204 and then was finally captured by the Ottoman in the late 17th century. Each successive culture added temples, villas, baths, walls, basilicas, and fortresses to the city. Beautiful gravel and stone-paved walkways weave though the groves of eucalyptus, bay laurel, holm oak ash, and plane trees that surround all the excavated areas of the site. After visiting the area of the Roman forum where the Greek theater and Temple of Asclepius are located, we passed by the remains of a small gymnasium that was still decorated with original mosaics. The 6th century A.D. Byzantine baptistery, with eight standing columns and the huge basilica to the roofline are testament to the importance of the city as an Episcopal center for the region. We finished our visit to the site at the top of a hill in the old Venetian fortress visiting a small, but well curated, archaeological museum.
On our way back to Sarandë we drove up to Lëkurësi Castle that provided us with a 360-degree view of the coast of Albania, Corfu and the verdant farmlands of the plains behind the city of Sarandë. Waiting for us just as we entered the arched entrance of the castle was our dear friend, Vendim, playing his flute in the dress of the SW region of the Albania. An award-winning performer of folk music, he plays a brass flute that is over 150 years old and once belonged to his great, great grandfather.
Our day was not done just yet! The captain took advantage of a wonderfully gentle breeze to set the sails north of Corfu, which provided the perfect conditions for a photo safari around the ship. Another memorable day for sure aboard the Sea Cloud!
