Butrint Roman Forum

Sarandë, Albania

In 44 BC, Rome colonized Butrint. One of the city's greatest periods of prosperity occurred under the Roman Empire. The Roman Forum was constructed in the Augustan period (27 BC-AD 14) and later aggrandized in the 2nd century AD. Numerous baths, fountains, and public buildings were constructed during this period. A prominent and wealthy woman, named Junia Rufina, adorned in marble a spring dedicated to nymphs bearing her name. The Forum came to an end in the late 4th century AD, as a result of a devastating earthquake. 

References:

Comments

Your name



Address

Butrint, Sarandë, Albania
See all sites in Sarandë

Details

Founded: 27 BCE - 14 AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Albania

More Information

butrint.nd.edu
whc.unesco.org

Rating

4.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Mirko Vujadinović (2 years ago)
Very nice ancient amphitheatre. Must to visit as it is just 4 km from Ksamil. lLot of history in there. Great nature as well. Each stone has its own story.
Anthony Muljadi (4 years ago)
Really cool ruins and hiking
SHAHBAZ SHAIKH (4 years ago)
To enter the place they charge 6 euros better to pay in Albania currency as it cost less...its a huge place to explore need at least 2 hours..... really beautiful and also provides free wifi and a well maintained place
Shahbaz Shaikh (4 years ago)
To enter the place they charge 6 euros better to pay in Albania currency as it cost less...its a huge place to explore need at least 2 hours..... really beautiful and also provides free wifi and a well maintained place
Zoé Sandle (4 years ago)
Really beautiful and impressive place. The ruins are fairly well preserved and it's an amazing feeling to walk along the paths that people have been walking for 2000 years. The nature is really beautiful as well.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

The castle, often besieged (notably by Simon de Montfort in 1211 and 1212), resisted assault and was only taken once, in 1486, thanks to treachery during the war between two branches of the Foix family.

From the 14th century, the Counts of Foix spent less and less time in the uncomfortable castle, preferring the Governors' Palace. From 1479, the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre and the last of them, made Henri IV of France, annexed his Pyrrenean lands to France.

As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.