Later fortifications

Caesar's legacy - a flourishing Roman port- ended in the later 6th century with the collapse of the Mediterranean economy. Already, in the 5th century Butrint had been fortified along its shoreline leaving the urban area on the plain undefended. As we have seen, the town flourished within these walls, before the Slavs reached here in the 580s and much of the lower city was abandoned. In 1081 the Norman adventurer, Robert Guiscard took the town, but he was quickly expelled by the Byzantines. Throughout the medieval period Butrint's fortifications were rebuilt and reinforced many times. In the 13th century, with the revival of the town under the Epirote Despots of Arta, a new castle was made at the west end of the acropolis. At the same time the entire wall circuit was refurbished. The walls were repaired manytimes as Angevins, Venetians and Byzantines struggled to control this pivotal point on the Straits of Corfu.

In an attempt to reduce the financial burden of maintaining Butrint, a new fortress was built on the south side of the Channel by the Venetians in the 15th century. This castle, known as the Triangular Fortress, defended the fish traps of Butrint which were the primary financial asset of the settlement in this period. Soon after the fortress was built, the old town was abandoned in its favour.

 

• Later Fortifications
• Medieval and Venetian fortifications
• The Triangular Fortress
• QTVR of the Triangular Fortress
• The towers and castles at Butrint
• The Castle of Ali Pasha
• QTVR of the Castle of Ali Pasha