Venetian Fortifications in Butrint

The Venetians left several significant imprints during their long presence in Butrint. So-called Venetian Tower just inside the entrance to the archaeological park and the Triangular Fortress on the other side of the Vivar Channel are among them. The original fortress, which now bears the name Ali Pasha of Tepelenë, is likely their work too.

The Tower was built in the late 15th and early 16th centuries to protect the valuable fishery in the Butrint Lake. It has two floors above ground and a square layout. On the upper floors, you can see several loopholes. A drawbridge allowed entry from the east side. The remnants of a Roman bath are located next to the tower.

At the same time, the Venetians also built a Triangular Fortress on the opposite side of the Vivar Channel, which has a round defensive bastion at each corner. You can get in through the entrance on its south side. In the centre of the courtyard is a building added by the Turks in the 19th century, which was probably used as a bath, the so-called hamam. Along the western wall are several rooms where gunpowder was probably stored.

The fortress can be reached via the ferry across the Vivar Channel (700 leks per car, 100 leks per person). The dock is right next to it.

TIP: You can take a hike from the Triangular Fortress along the shores of Butrint Lake. The route will take you through the archaeological sites in the surroundings of Butrint (remains of the Aqueduct, the Roman villa Diaporit or the prehistoric hillfort Kalivo) and around the adjacent Lake Bufi (Liqeni i Bufit). See map.

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