After a few days exploring the coast of Albania we headed inland again passing by a saltwater lake which was very still that morning.
We saw lots of people fishing…
We spent an hour or so at Butrint National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and Albania’s most important archaeological site. It was recognized as a place of continuous human occupation from prehistoric times up to the 19th century. It acts as a timeline of shifting empires leaving behind layered ruins from the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans. And when we were there it was the most beautiful peaceful place…
At the entrance we see the Venetian Tower as it was constructed by the Republic of Venice to serve as a military outpost to guard the lucrative local fishing channels on the lakes around it.
The site was secured with massive 4th century stone walls with the famous Lion Gate with the relief carved in it…
The stones used in the walls are massive and built with no mortar to hold them yet here they are still standing…
There is a still mostly intact Roman Theatre which was built in the 3rd century BC and once seated 2500 people it is still used for performances today.
A beautifully preserved Christian Basilica constructed in the 6th century AD featuring massive stone arches. I had a chance to sit there in silence and marvel at all the people who had lived here before me!
Caesar arrived in the 44BC and declared Butrint a town and as a result many buildings were built as the town expanded. Some are still standing…
Since it is surrounded by beautiful lakes the views are stunning…
It was a very interesting visit and another reason to believe that Albania has beauty everywhere!
We continued on into the forest where the colors were brilliant…
Ran into some stubborn sheep along the way…
Back into the mountains with low hanging clouds…
Then into very fertile valleys…
Into our last stop which was Gjirokastra, ‘The Stone City’ where much of the city is made of stone even the rooftops…
Even the roads are made of stone and hard on the tires…
It was a rainy night and the town was quiet…
Looking up from the town square we could see the fortress we would visit in the morning…
Even the cats were chilly…
We found a warm traditional restaurant for supper and again tried their traditional dishes..Don had the Shepherds dish with spicy sausage and beans…
I had the beef with tomatoes and cottage cheese…
The next morning we were up early to visit the Castle which is one of the largest, most dominant and historically layered fortifications in the entire Balkan Peninsula. It is also a UNESCO listed landmark dating back to the 12th century.
Up we go…
We started at the top which gave us great views of the city and surrounding areas…
Don is checking out the views…
As you enter the fortress you see a long row of weapons that have been used to protect it over the centuries…
An interesting exhibit outside is a captured US Air Force jet that was forced down in 1957 during the Cold War…
Over the centuries the fortress has belonged to both Christian and Islamic rulers. One of the Islamic rulers, Ali Pasha built the clock tower in the 19th century.
Beyond lies beautiful views to the valley…
Don and Mali having a chat while I take my photos, this is our last day with him…
Another view of the stone roofs…
I thought it was interesting to see a modern concert venue in such an old fortress. There is a folk festival is held here every year.
On the way out we stopped to speak to this lady selling her crochet items. She spoke English and when we told her we were from Canada she said she had visited there and loved our country…
After that we headed back to Tirana with a coffee stop with a beautiful view…
We said goodbye to Mali and told him we would surely miss him. We had been together almost two weeks, drove over 2000km, visited four countries and collected memories that will last a lifetime.
One more day in the city which we also liked and then off to Sicily to experience a different part of Italy.
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