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

Roman Town Planning

Planimetria e tipit romak

— Periudha Romake/II Cent. AD/Roman period —

Roman Town Planning Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018

1. Roman Town Planning Marker

Captions: (upper right) The new town was laid out using a regular system of streets which divided the town into insulae.; (bottom right) Building plan showing changes over the centuries; (insert) Reconstruction of the later church building.

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

English:
A measure of Butrint's prosperity in the mid Roman period can be seen in its townscape. The plan of the new Roman town was very different to the earlier 10 ha fortified site associated with the Sanctuary of Asclepius. The new town was laid out using a regular system of streets which divided the town into insulae (equal-size units of land within the urban area).
This excavated area is part of one insula. The building forms a suite of rooms with mosaic pavements separated from a stone-paved courtyard by a large fountain. Its exact function is unknown but it may have been a gymnasium or possibly a private house. It was modified and re-built over four centuries and was finally converted into a church (constructed around the fountain) with a cloister located in the original courtyard in the Late Roman period.

Erected by Parku Kombëtar Butrint and Albanian American Development Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 39°

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44.73′ N, 20° 1.332′ E. Marker is near Buthrotum, Vlorë, in Sarandë District. Marker can be reached from Route SH81, on the left. 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 Baptistery and its mosaic pavements (within shouting distance of this marker); The channel-side city wall (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Expansion of Butrint (about 120 meters away); The Great Basilica (about 120 meters away); The Roman Forum (about 120 meters away); The Theatre (about 150 meters away); The Sanctuary of Asclepius (about 180 meters away); Sacred Origins (about 210 meters 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. Roman Town Planning Marker

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018

3. Gymnasium

Note the mosaics inside the niche image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018

4. Note the mosaics inside the niche

Roman Well; note the groves worn into the stone from years of use. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018

5. Roman Well; note the groves worn into the stone from years of use.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 29, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.