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Butrint: The ancient site helping Albania reclaim its identity

27 January 2025

Lynn Brown

Alamy

Once known as "the North Korea of Europe", Albania is turning to its millennia-old sites and rich cultural heritage to recast its image.

After a period of turmoil, places often talk about looking towards the future. However, 40 years after the death of communist dictator Enver Hoxha, Albania is, in many ways, looking to its distant past. A period of extreme isolationism from the 1940s to 1991 led the Balkan nation to close its religious institutions, neglect many of its historical sites and to become known as "the North Korea of Europe". But today, Albania is working hard to reclaim its cultural heritage by preserving its natural landscape and embracing its ancient roots.

The more-than-2,500-year-old ruins of the city of Butrint is one such example. Dating back to roughly 800BC, the site has long stood in the centre of the Western world, surviving conflicts, absorbing different cultures and leaving multiple layers of history to explore. It was likely a Greek city-state before the Romans expanded it into a bustling town complete with a bathhouse. Later, the Byzantines and Ottomans both left their respective marks on it. Butrint's history tells the story of the Mediterranean's shifting politics and its many cultures and religions – all of which have shaped modern-day Albania.

"In 1992, [Butrint] was the first place in Albania declared a Unesco World Heritage site," explained BBC Travel Show host Qasa Alom in a recent episode. "[It preserves] some of the rich cultural history that lies beyond the shadow cast by the events of the last century."

Visiting one of Europe's 'well preserved ancient cities'

Today, the city's sprawling ruins are part of the larger Butrint National Park, which includes 93-sq-km of forested coastal landscape. In addition to the historic site, the park is also home to 1,200 different plant and animal species. Visitors can explore the ruins of a Hellenistic-era theatre, admire early Christian monuments and then hike the wooded hills or cruise the nearby Lake Butrint.

The preservation of both the ruins and the surrounding parkland are the result of a concerted effort from organisations like the Butrint Foundation and the World Monuments Fund. Donations from both groups have helped restore Butrint and protect the surrounding landscape, while also providing training in historic preservation that created much needed jobs to the local community.

"It has been a struggle the last 30 years to protect the beauty and the history of Butrint, originally [because of] the neglect after the fall of communism… but also with the developers trying to build around the site," Ani Tare, former director of the Butrint National Park told the BBC.

Butrint isn't the only part of Albania that has experienced a restoration. In the nation's capital, Tirana, located 278km (173 miles) to the north, many Hoxha-era monuments have been torn down to make way for new community spaces. Skanderbeg Square, for example, once home to several monuments dedicated to communism and Hoxha's power, is now the largest pedestrian square in the Balkans. Similarly the towering Pyramid of Tirana has been transformed from a museum dedicated to Hoxha into a park and sculpture garden with sweeping views of the city.

More like this:

• A 'mini-Greece' by the sea

• Maderia: The far-flung 'Hawaii of Europe'

• The 25 best places to travel in 2025

Art has also helped Albanians shake off the past and reimagine a new national identity in other ways. At Butrint, for example, programming like their annual drama festival, put on inside of the site's ancient stone theatre, has helped bring back a sense of pride and history among the local community.

"In the beginning [visitors to the festival were] noisy, they didn't understand what was going on and they used to steal the cushions," Tare explained. "In five years, the local people here would come beautifully dressed, nobody makes noise, everyone respected the theatre, nobody stole cushions. Why? Because the culture [of this place] made them aware and gave them a sense of pride."

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https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250127-butrint-the-ancient-site-helping-albania-reclaim-its-identity?ocid=fbtvl&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2yODgtdtJsaUVD_zro33JY5T7DkV25YEsDcaxJADgjpJkqLlwrjDlbrYM_aem_ZrRQtSuyMCQOB-cGOijmkg

Interview with one of the earliest Travel Bloggers from Tirane, Mr. Marlen Kazani

 Interview with one of the earliest Travel Bloggers from Tirane, Mr. Marlen Kazani.

Marlen is a friend and a colleague. He is currently teaching in Hospitality and Tourism Professional School in Tirane. Like many other Albanians, he has lived some years abroad before deciding to come back in Albania and settle for good. His passion is to promote Albania and he does that with his Blog since 2012.

 

I met him at University in Tirane while following the studies for Tourism Management. Our talks had always been filled with ideas and passion for traveling and promoting tourism. This is how I came to know that Marlen is one of the earliest Albanian Travel Bloggers and decided to interview him with my 10 Questions.

Question: Hi Marlen, what’s up?

-          I am good, thanks.

Question: I would like to know more on your blog, what is all about?

-          The Blogger has been created to help travelers discover Albania, its culture, history, natural beauties, archaeological sites, something that is difficult even to imagine. You might think you know Albania, because you may have heard about its fabulous places but pictures do not provide you with the clear image of Albania, and therefore i offer the opportunity to know Albania better.

Question: How often do you travel and how do you get all the information for your blog?

-          Oh I travel and do it as often as I can. To me it is not important if it is for a long time or a short time, but I always go somewhere. Very often, I would get news and messages from places like Restaurants and Hotels. This is also because of my work, I am teaching in Albanian Hospitality and Tourism School. Thus, often I travel because I want to see where my students are going to work J

Question: You are blogging since 2012. How did you start in the very beginning?

-          I started with a thought and I still have that thought: “Albania is amazing and everyone should know it”. Coming back from my studies and work in Italy, I was feeling that Albania really was having a very bad reputation. I felt that there was not much on Tourism and How to travel in Albania. Tourism had already begun but still there was so much lack of information. Even on how to access Albania, which were the best ways, what do we eat, what language do we speak, all this information somehow I sensed as missing from the web. This was my motivation. Exposing Albania from a Touristic point of view.

Question: How do you feel now about all your work?

-          I am happy that I do it. I have been to lots of places and met many people. I try to post often on news and happenings around Albania. This makes my blog a good place where to look for information about where to stay, who to contact and what to do in Albania. One thing I really love to show in my blog is the Natural attractions along with the Albanian Traditional Dishes. Now I have also my Instagram and Facebook page and my followers would comment and reply there. I like it, I like to answer to questions and help as much as I can.

Question: You have been recently invited in a talk in Radio Tirana, the National Radio of Albania. Do you see yourself like and influencer?

-          (Laughs) An influencer? That is too much for me. I have my channels, people would follow me and write but definitely I am not an influencer. A specialist of Travel and Tourism, yes. I am a specialist of industry.

Question: Do you think tourism is moving in the “right” direction in Albania?

-          Tourism is moving in Albania. If we have a look at the numbers, before the Covid 19 crisis, Albania was doing really well. But, there is many problems that need to be addressed. For example, we promote Pristine Landscapes and Organic Food, virgin shores and amazing landscapes and also Mass Tourism on the Adriatic Coast. I think that all the actors have to be very careful and think of the future while consuming the actual resources. Albania should promote and offer a Sustainable Tourism, that’s the key for a long and healthy progress.

Question: Can you name some attractions that a foreigner shouldn’t miss in Albania?

-          There is many, really many places. I am writing about them since 2012 (Laughs). Albania is beautiful and for example in the Nort, the mountains of Valbone and Theth are amazing. Also the northern capital, Shkodra is a very lively city. Very good museums and historical and natural attractions. I mean, founded on the junction of three rivers and has an amazing castle. I can just suggest to hop on in one of its towers and contemplate the views. Furthermore, historic towns like Berat and Gjirokaster, both of them UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Question: What is your favorite Albanian Dish and how is it made?

-          I really love Tave Kosi. This dish comes really from the Albanian Tradition. It is served as a main course. One of my favorite descriptions on how to prepare it is found on BBC. Not that easy to prepareJ

Question: What would you like to say to a foreigner…why should visitors decide to visit Albania?

-          Only one thing; This place is Authentic, close to Europe yet so mysterious. I mean isn’t it fun to visit a place you know nothing about? 

   

                                                               https://albaniaprivateguide.com/albania-tourism/

L'Albanie invité d'honneur des Plaisirs d’Hiver

SARAH NUYENS Publié le mardi 07 novembre 2017 à 07h32 - Mis à jour le mardi 07 novembre 2017 à 12h50

EXCLUSIF

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BRUXELLESHuit chalets du marché de Noël seront consacrés aux spécialités de Tirana, la capitale albanaise .

Du vin blanc, rouge ou encore pétillant, de la bière, de l’huile d’olive, des mets typiques, de l’artisanat, mais aussi des shows de danse traditionnelle : voilà ce que la ville de Tirana vous proposera durant les Plaisirs d’hiver qui se tiendront dès la fin du mois dans le centre-ville. La capitale albanaise sera, en effet, l’invitée d’honneur de cette 17e édition. Au total, huit des quelque deux cent cinquante chalets que compte le parcours seront dédiés aux spécialités albanaises. Ceux-là seront installés sur la place Sainte-Catherine, en face de l’église.

L’occasion pour les producteurs locaux de faire découvrir leurs marchandises au cœur de l’Europe. Muharrem Çobo a repris l’entreprise vinicole familiale il y a plus de vingt ans. "Pour l’instant, je vends principalement mes vins en Albanie et en Suisse. Je participe à de nombreux événements dans le monde entier pour faire découvrir notre savoir-faire, et j’espère que cela plaira aux Bruxellois. Nous proposerons d’ailleurs du vin chaud", sourit le responsable de l’établissement vinicole Çobo.

De son côté, le maire de Tirana Erion Veliaj espère que cette participation permettra aux visiteurs des Plaisirs d’hiver de découvrir l’Albanie sous un autre jour. "Il y a beaucoup de rumeurs qui circulent sur notre pays, mais nous voulons montrer aux touristes ce qu’a réellement à offrir la ville de Tirana. Il faut que les légendes urbaines disparaissent", nous confie l’homme politique lors de notre visite à la mairie.

"Il y a quelques années, une invitation à participer à un événement comme celui-ci me semblait impensable. C’est une chance de faire découvrir la ville ainsi que ses attractions touristiques aux visiteurs, qui voudront peut-être nous rendre visite par la suite", poursuit Erion Veliaj.

Pour la Ville de Bruxelles, cette collaboration a aussi comme objectif de faire rayonner notre capitale au niveau international (voir ci-contre). La présence d’autres villes ou pays sur l’événement permettra de faire la promotion des Plaisirs d’hiver à l’étranger.

Le programme complet de l’événement sera dévoilé ce mardi, en présence du bourgmestre Philippe Close (PS) et de l’échevine de la culture Karine Lalieux (PS). Quant aux festivités, elles seront officiellement lancées le 24 novembre prochain et s’étendront sur cinq semaines, jusqu’au 31 décembre, peut-on lire sur le site Internet des Plaisirs d’hiver.

Sarah Nuyens

Eksperti i Turizmit Marlen Kazani, eshte i ftuar per emisionin "Realitete ekonomike", nje prodhim i Radio Tiranes, realizuar nga gazetari Pellumb Troci! Intervisten me zotin Kazani ju ftojm t'a ndiqni diten e enjte date 12 shtator 2019-ora 10.05 minuta!!!

Eksperti i Turizmit Marlen Kazani, eshte i ftuar per emisionin "Realitete ekonomike", nje prodhim i Radio Tiranes, realizuar nga gazetari Pellumb Troci! Intervisten me zotin Kazani ju ftojm t'a ndiqni diten e enjte date 12 shtator 2019-ora 10.05 minuta!!!

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Amazing video In Gjipe Bay, Himare Albania summer 2019

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Albania’s wine renaissance, new generation of winemakers are digging deep into their native grape stock, with impressive results

The foodie traveller

Albania’s wine renaissance

The country’s wine industry has an image problem – even within Albania. But a new generation of winemakers are digging deep into their native grape stock, with impressive results

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Tristan Rutherford

Sunday 12 November 2017 12.00 GMT

The only place on Earth where you can drink a glass of chilled ceruja is at Uka Farm, a biodynamic vineyard and restaurant near Tirana airport. The idiosyncratic grape climbs the mulberry trees near the shores of Lake Ulëz in northern Albania, and is harvested only once every few years.

Albania may not be known for its wine, but that is slowly changing, as winemakers such as Flori Uka, who purchases the entire ceruja harvest, start to make a name for themselves.

The Adriatic country was almost entirely off-limits to foreigners until 1991, and under forced collectivisation (from the 1950s) only produced two wines: red and white. Today, it is seeing a renaissance of its dozen or so native grapes in 30 innovative wineries.

 Uka Farm

Under the shadow of Berat’s Disney-like Unesco-listed castle, Muharram Çobo has been growing rare Albanian grapes since 1994. Despite being vintners of old, Çobo’s forefathers were prohibited from making wine during the communist era: he’s making up for lost time by experimenting with several 100-bottle “micro-fermentations” each year. From a single lonely vine, Çobo has revived Puls i Bardhë, another tree-climbing grape. It sips like an olfactory firebomb of tannic citrus, and pairs well with indigenous Berat olives, which he serves with cellar dégustations. After sampling his 12-day-old sparkling rosé, we crack a bottle of Shendevere, a mouth-poppingly good méthode champenoise, which is as good as anything I’ve tasted.

 Çobo winery, with Mount Shpirag in the distance

There is still a brand issue here, though. Flori Uka says: “When I took Uka Farm wine to local restaurants they said, ‘Oh, it’s Albanian, so we’ll pay you €2 a bottle’. Each year Albania produces only a million bottles for a country of three million – we import €50m of Italian wine instead.” But with this new generation of winemakers, that may not be the case for much longer.

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https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/nov/12/albania-berat-new-generation-wines-and-winemakers?CMP=share_btn_fb