Classical Tour of Albania
Day 3 - Butrint, Part 2
The Illuyrian, Roman and Byzantine remains
This area flooded when the water table rose and small terrapins can be seen around the stones.
There were at least two shrines here. One was set back into a cleft in the rock and acted as a treasury where pilgrims could leave donations.
Beyond is the theatre. This dates from the C3rd BC and the seats were cut out of the hillside. The lowest row of seats were reserved for magistrates and leading citizens. Top rows were reached by steps.
The stone orchestra is now flooded and is covered by a wooden stage. The three arched scena allowexd actors to move around the stage. The niches would have contained statues. When the site was excavated in the 1930s, many broken pieces of statues were found. When Butrint fell out of use, the marble statues were broken up and burnt to produce high quality lime for mortar.
Beyond is the site of the forum, which
was built on the site of the Greek Agora. The area was
badly damaged in the C4th earthquake and abandoned. It
is now a grassed area and UNESCO will not allow further
excavation. Along the back wall are three small
faltoret shrines. to the left of them, a paved track
leads to the Pusi sacred well, dating from the C4th BC.
Through the trees beyond this is the baptistry. This is dated from its mosaic floor as being built between 550-575 AD. It is one of the largest and most elaborate in the mediterranean area with a double row of columns were re-erected in the 1930 and would originally have supported an arcade around the central lantern which allowed light down onto the font. The water was heated by a hypocaust system and then piped under the mosaic floor to the font. I managed to alter the white balance on the camera which explains the poor colour of this picture. The wonderful mosaic floor is kept covered with sand to protect it.
Beyond the baptistry is the basilica which was built in the C6th is one of the best preserved late antique period basilicas in Albania. It has been rebuilt at least twice and the walls stand to nearly their original height. It was a three aisled building. The apse and nave were used by the priests and there would have been a nave pulpit. The aisles were used by the congregation with the small transepts reserved either for the clergy or wealthy patrons who paid for the privilege to be near the altar.
