Butrint Walls

The ancient fortifications of Butrint are well preserved, making them one of the biggest attractions of this archaeological location. The footpath that runs along the walls passes through three of the six former city gates. The most impressive, the Lion Gate, displays a fight between a beast and a bull.

The fortification of Butrint took place in several stages. The Acropolis was the first to be enclosed, and in 380 BC the area around the Sanctuary of Asclepius below the Acropolis was also walled. By the 6th century AD, virtually the entire peninsula of Butrint was already encircled by defensive walls.

The Venetians built a castle on the Acropolis in the 13th century, a replica of which was constructed in the 1930s by Italian archaeologists. Later, the Republic of San Marco added to the Butrint fortifications with a defensive tower, the Triangular Fortress on the opposite bank of the Vivar Channel, and possibly also the Ali Pasha of Tepelenë Fortress.

The city gates were no majestic passages but rather small gaps through which as few enemies as possible would squeeze in the event of an attack. Next to the Great Basilica stand the remains of the Tower Gate, which used to be the main entrance to the city. At the northeastern tip of the peninsula, you will find the narrow Lake Gate, which was probably the exit to the boat moorings.

The most interesting is the Lion Gate, on the front of which a lion wrestling with a bull is carved in stone. The beast seems to symbolise the inhabitants of the city and the bull its enemies. The gate is so low that you will probably have to stoop to pass through.

Cover picture by Vojtěch Kolínský

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