Sacred Origins
Butrint owes its growth and early fame to a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine, founded in the 4th century BC. The sanctuary was located on the south slope of the acropolis (hill).
Worshippers came to the sanctuary in order to be healed. leaving symbolic objects and money to the god and his attendant priests. The Sanctuary was the making of Butrint and the sacred power of Butrint's water were to be revered as long as the town lasted.
As the Sanctuary grew in fame a circuit wall of finely hewn stone blocks, fitted together without mortar, was constructed around the 10 hectare site to protect it.
- Remains of the temple of Asclepius above the theatre
- Map of the Hellenistic and earlier wall circuits at Butrint