Lake Butrint

How it formed

The lagoon lies in direct contact with the sea: at its southern end the Vivari Channel connects it to the Ionian Sea. It is shaped like a giant footprint pointing north, and saltwater and freshwater marshes complement the open water.

History

Beside the lagoon lies the ancient city of Butrint. Greeks founded a small colony on the hillside in the 4th century BC, the Romans expanded it into a port, the Byzantines made it a centre of early Christian worship, and the Venetians strengthened the fortifications and built the tower that overlooks the Vivari Channel.

What to look for in the ruins

The Lion Gate is a narrow gate in the walls, named for a carved relief of a lion attacking a bull. The theatre, Hellenistic and later enlarged by the Romans, has well-preserved seating. The late Roman baptistery has a floor mosaic of geometric and animal designs, though it is often covered. The Venetian tower is now a small museum.

Nature

Butrint is particularly known for the diversity of its plants and animals. The southern part of the lagoon lies within Butrint National Park and is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, and the lagoon has also been identified as an important area for birds and for plants, because it supports significant numbers of species of both.