Near Buthrotum in Sarandë District, Vlorë, Albania — Southeastern Europe (Balkan Peninsula)

Sacred Origins

Origjina e shenjtë

— Periudha Helenistike/III Cent. BC/Hellenistic period —

Sacred Origins Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018

1. Sacred Origins Marker

Legend: ➊ Lion Gate, ➋ Lake Gate, ➌ Acropolis, ➍ Tower Gate, ➎ Theatre, ➏ Temple of Asclepius.

Inscription. The texts on this marker are written in Albanian (shqip) (top left) and English (top right). Only the English text has been transcribed. To read the Albanian (shqip) text, enlarge the marker image by clicking on it.

English:
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 objects and money to the god and his attendant priests. The Sanctuary was the making of Butrint and the sacred powers 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 in order to protect it.

Erected by Parku Kombëtar Butrint and Albanian American Development Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 39° 44.713′ N, 20° 1.193′ E. Marker is near Buthrotum, Vlorë, in Sarandë District. Marker can be reached

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

from Route SH81, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buthrotum, Vlorë 9706, Albania. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Sanctuary of Asclepius (within shouting distance of this marker); The Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); The Expansion of Butrint (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Venetians at Butrint (about 120 meters away); The Roman Forum (about 120 meters away); The Changing Settlement (about 120 meters away); Roman Town Planning (about 210 meters away); The Baptistery and its mosaic pavements (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buthrotum.

More about this marker. The marker is located in Butrint National Park, just north of the ferry on route SH81.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018

2. Sacred Origins Marker

Butrint ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018

3. Butrint ruins

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018

4. Butrint ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 28, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.