A cultural and natural heritage

Butrint is not just famous for its physical cultural heritage – it is also a natural environment of international importance. The Park contains a wide variety of habitats – coastal wetlands, saltwater lagoons, rivers and open grazing lands, which are home to many rare birds, insects, amphibians, mammals and reptiles and in 2003 it became a Ramsar Wetlands Site of International Importance. Butrint is the richest site for bio-diversity in all of Albania and the Park shelters 26 species of global conservation concern, such as the marginated tortoise, the wolf and the white-tailed eagle.

The Butrint National Park exists in order to protect and conserve the historical monuments and the rich natural heritage. The Park also supports a vibrant community who engage in traditional husbandry and make traditional crafts for sale at the Park. The Park employs full-time Ranger staff and specialists in the archaeology, monuments and environment fields.