Day 11 - Archeological Site (Butrint), Fishing for Mussels, & Winery Dinner
Wednesday, May 28
Fresh mussels for lunch!
Butrint (archeological site) was colonized in succession by Greece, Rome and Byzantium, and the site shows the remains of examples of all these eras. The 6th century BC fortifications, the 3rd century BC amphitheater, temples, public baths and houses, covered in mud and marsh vegetation, were preserved until excavations began in 1944. This is one of the last unspoiled historic areas in the Mediterranean region.
The text on the wall below speaks of the emancipation of slaves. Women were often slave owners and sometimes when they couldn’t have children they would emancipate their slaves (child slaves) and adopt them as their own children.
Roman Bath (which is really a steam sauna):
The ruins at Butrint are on a little island peninsula between Lake Butrint and the Ionian Sea.
Fishing for Mussels on Lake Butrint
The lake is fed by fresh water springs and connected to the Ionian Sea by a canal allowing the water int he lake to be a mix of fresh and salt water, making it perfect for the growing of mussels. We took a little boat out to the mussel “farm” to see how they are grown, cultivated, and collected. And for those who like such things, tasted fresh from the sea!
On our way to a winery for dinner, we stopped at a 16th C. hilltop castle built Sultan Suleiman for the view:
Isak Winery Dinner - First we had a tour of the winery, the place where they make olive oil, and the greenhouse.
Wine Production:
Olive Oil Production
The Greenhouse:
Around the Farm:
Dinner!
And WINES! White, Rose, and Red. And Raki, Limoncello, and Brandy!
And shopping of course!
And lastly…. some random pics of mom and me and a sweet dog….
