Albania

Some postcards from our journey to Albania in 2011.

Tirana

Tirana is the most populous city and the capital city of the Republic of Albania. Tirana was founded as a city in 1614, but the region that today corresponds to the city territory has been continuously inhabited since the Bronze Age. Geographically, Tirana is located in the center of the country surrounded by mountains and hills.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites,  Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra
Berat and Gjirokastra are inscribed as rare examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. Located in central Albania.

                                       

Bay of Vlorë

Vlorë is the third most populous city f Albania. The city is the capital of the surrounding Vlorë County. Located on the southeastern Adriatic Sea, it is one of the country's southernmost economic and cultural center.  Tourism is one of the city most significant economic sectors.

The Rozafa Castle on the hill and the Albanian Alps in the background.

Shkodër or Shkodra city is one of the most ancient cities in the Balkans and the fourth most populous city in the country and exerts strong influences in culture, religion, arts and entertainment of northern Albania. 

Apollonia  Archaeological Park, Monument of Agonothetes

 Apollonia was an ancient Greek city located on the right bank of the Aous river. Its ruins are situated in the Fier region, near the village of Pojani (Polina), in Albania

Valbonë Valley National Park and The Albanian Alps.

Some photos on a hot summer day :)

Albania Attractions

Blue Eye

The Blue Eye is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near Muzinë in Vlorë County. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning, more than fifty-metre-deep pool. Divers have descended to fifty metres, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of the karst hole is.

The islands of Ksamili

The Ksamil Islands are four small islands located in southern Albania. The islands are remote and can only be accessed by boat. The village of Ksamil, after whom the islands are named, is located to the east of the islands. The combined areas of the four Ksamili islands is only 7.1 hectares (17.5 acres) and form part of the larger Butrint National Park.

 The bay of Kakome

Kakome Bay is located near the Albanian town of Saranda in Southern Albania, facing Corfu Island and on the border with Greece.

Saranda by night

Saranda or Sarandë  is a coastal town in Vlorë County, southern of Albania. 

The city is known for its blue deep waters of the Mediterranean and  typically has over 300 sunny days a year. In recent years, Saranda has seen a steady increase in tourists, many of them coming by cruise ship. Visitors are attracted both by the natural beauty of Saranda and its archaeological attractions. Sarandë has a Greek minority and is considered one of the two centers of the Greek community in Albania.

Next time with this book to the land of eagles.

World Heritage, Albania, Butrinti

 The ancient city of Butrinti IV-III C. BC

 View of Baptistry

The amphitheater

Butrint on Kaakkois-Albaniassa sijaitseva Albanian ja koko Balkanin yksi merkittävimmistä arkeologisista kohteista. Se sijaitsee syrjäisellä maaseudulla lähellä Kreikan rajaa.

Arkeologisissa kaivauksissa on havaittu asutuksen merkkejä Butrintin alueella jo neoliittisella kaudella ja ensimmäinen kaupunkimainen asutus ja linnoitus paikalle rakennettiin illyyrialaiskaudella 700-luvulla eaa.

Rooman valloitettua kaupungin 167 eaa. Butrintista tuli merkittävä roomalainen keskus, jossa sijaitsi mm. Julius Caesarin ja Augustuksen aikana laivastotukikohta ja viljavarasto Rooman armeijalle. Merkittävimmät Butrintin rauniot ovat peräisin juuri roomalaisajalta.

Butrint valittiin UNESCOn maailmanperintöluetteloon vuonna 1992.

About Butrint

B is for Butrinti

In 2011 we had the opportunity to go to Albania and the first place we visited was Butrint.

butrint, ancient Buthrotum, a port from Hellenistic to Ottoman times, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south-west Albania. Situated on the Straits of Corfu, and surrounded by a picturesque lagoon, it is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the Adriatic Sea region

 The Great Basilica 5th century AD

 The Theatre

The Baptistery and early christian Butrint 

In Butrint we had a chance to travel back in time. At different times Butrint was invaded and rebuilt by the Greek, Roman, Venetian and Byzantine empires who inhabited the walled fortress. 

 The Butrint Foundation has lots of information on their website at www.butrint.org.