Butrint

Butrint is an archaeological site that provides valuable evidence of ancient and medieval civilizations on the territory of modern Albania.

The site, on a hill next to a lake connecting to the sea by a canal, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. A Greek colony was founded there in the late 7th century BC, when the city (called Buthros) was surrounded by fortifications.

Roman occupation prompted the development of the city and, during the Christian era, it became the seat of a bishopric. Many religious structures were built by the Christians. From the time the Slavs came to the Balkans (7th century) until the founding of the Epirus despotate (after the taking of Constantinople by the Crusades in 1204), the city underwent great trials.

The city’s last era of prosperity was under Byzantine administration (Epirus). After a short period of occupation by the Venetians (late 14th century), the city under Ottoman administration was threatened by the marshes that formed around the lake, and was abandoned by the population.

Berat and Gjirokastra

The Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra are both well-preserved Ottoman towns, decorated with outstanding examples of kule: Balkan-Ottoman style tower houses. Both towns have been inhabited continuously since ancient times.

Berat has been particularly marked by the peaceful coexistence of Ottoman Islam with a large Christian minority.
The designated area includes Berat castle, mosques, churches and the Gorica bridge.

Gjirokastra was built around a 13th century citadel. From the 14th to the 19th century it developed into a regional center. Residential quarters, the bazaar, churches and mosques were built vertically and in stone

The amphitheater of Durres

It is the largest and most important Balkan amphitheater built in the early I sc. which contains remarkable functional and constructive architectural values, the unique discovered in Albania. Systematic excavations began in 1966 and currently Available while e been updated half the monument.

 The amphitheater is located in the city center, the cavea is based on the western slope of the hill and the opposite party is elève on flat ground. The amphitheater is presented in the form of an ellipse diameter 136 m. The height of the cavea starting from the base, is 20 m. Capacity was 15,000 steps á 20,000 spectators.

These steps were covered with white tiles. Gladiators fighting on the arena. On the constructive side, the cavea of ​​the amphitheater was based on a system of stone arches surrounding the entire object. The size and the technical realization of this amphitheater shows a development of the city of Durres during the first centuries of our era.

 After having suffered social and economic changes after the sc IV amphitheater of Durres has ceased to function as such. In one of his galleries were built in X sc. a Byzantine chapel whose walls were decorated with mosaics representing different figures

The tombs of Lower Selca

Lower Selca is a village in the area Mokra in the region of Pogradec. During archaeological excavations in the years 1964-1972 affectuées in a hill near the village, we found a city Illyrian.

This habitat has been developed during the period of Bronze High and continued to be such without interruption, even during the Iron periodede. At VI-V sc. BC the city was developed as a proto-urban center on the road that ran along the river Shkumbini. The IV sc. it was transformed into a center surrounded by fortified wall made of squared stones. It occupied an area of ​​30000m2.

During the IV-V BC. JC Selca was an important center of production, trade exchanges and administrative center of the Illyrian region of Desareti. In III sc. were engraved in the rock four monumental tombs of princes, as original creations of the Ionic order. In one of these tombs were reused at the end of II sc. we discovered a rich inventory of weapons, vessels of bronze and terracotta, gold jewelry as well as emblems depicting scenes mitologiques combat. The construction of the Egnatia highway in I sc. led to the downfall of the city. During the IV sc. Selca, as a military and administrative center, was fortified again by stone walls bound with mortar. The Illyrian city of Lower Selca was demolished to circles VI sc.

Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region

Situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid, the town of Pogradec is a city with an ancient history and numerous cultural, geological and natural values. Based on archaeological findings (ceramics) an Illyrian settlement existed on the hill in north-west of the city in the 5th century BC and was then fortified in the 4th century BC. The Pogradec people were first called Illyrians (the ancient tribe of Desaret and maybe Enklelej), then Arbër, and finally Albanians. The fortified settlement has had a 1400-year-existence which ended in 7th-8th century with the Slavic invasion and then after the Bulgarian occupation in 9th-12th century the life within the fortification walls was abandoned and a new city was formed in the field area under the castle hill. The new city was named "Podga Grada" (Pogradec) meaning under the city. The city of Pogradec and its historic-cultural region are located in a natural setting of exceptional beauty, while its historical centre represents an example of 19th-20th century Albanian vernacular architecture. Even though with a small area, its old typical streets and houses bear the values of Albanian vernacular architecture and urban setting, revealing the particular atmosphere of this period. The existence in this region of the ruins of the paleochristian church of Lin together with its exceptionally beautiful floor mosaics reveals the presence of Christianity as well as the importance of this area in the period. Traces of the Roman road Via Egnatia found in the region of Pogradec near the shores of Lake Ohrid are evidence of this important passage route in this part of Albania.
Justification of Outstanding Universal Value



The paleochristian church of Lin is one of the most important monuments of 6th century in Albania which conserves nearly untouched the overall plan and the floor mosaics. The periodic conservative works, have contributed in the conservation of the original wall contours and of about 120 m2 floor mosaics. Together with the baptistery of Butrint (World Heritage) these are the two unique central plan churches conserved in Albania. These two churches are known also for the outstanding artistic values of the floor mosaics.
Criteria:
(iii) The archaeological findings in the castle area of the city of Pogradec as well as the presence of the monumental tombs of Lower Selca in the region are evidence of the ancient Illyrian civilization. The actual town planning and housing in the historical centre of Pogradec are evidence of the 19th - 20th century town life.
(iv) From the architectural point of view the 6th century triconch church of Lin village is a rare example of central plan churches in Albania while its well preserved, highly colored floor mosaics bear outstanding artistic value.
(vii) Lake Ohrid lays in southwest of Balkan, shared between Albania and FYROM. It is the oldest lake in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. His origin is tectonic, and it's suggested to be created 4-10 million years ago. It  is situated on 41 degree northern latitude and 20 - 21 degrees eastern longitude, and its altitude is 695 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 358.2 square kilometers, two thirds of which belong to FYROM, and one thirds to Albania. The shoreline is 87.5 kilometers long - the maximum length being 30.8 kilometers, and its maximum width is 14.8 kilometers. The average depth is 164 meters, and the maximum depth 289 meters. On the Albanian side The Lake is surrounded by mountain ranges of Mokra 1589 m. and Jablanica 1945 m The surrounding mountains are karstic. There are more than 40 rivers and streams that flow in to the lake Ohrid. The bedrock structure of the watershed area includes rock masses of various types, compositions and age, going all back to the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. In the Albanian Side of Lake Ohrid there are several nature monuments such as caves, springs, special geological features etc.
(ix) Lake Ohrid ecosystem is considered as a nature center for conservation of biodiversity and landscape. It is a habitat for conservation of several endemic species of fauna and flora. Because of its very old age, geographic position, surroundings from mountains and hills, and its condition still oligotrophic, Ohrid lake continues to have a great collection of plants and animals which are unique in the world. It includes numerous of relict forms;"alive fossils" and a lot of other endemic species that are found only in this lake. The Lake Ohrid fish fauna include 17 native species, of which 10 are endemic (two of which belongs to Salmonide family). Ten from the fish species have a commercial value. But also a lot of snails (85%), worms, and sponges are endemic species.
Littoral zone is characterized from considerable communities of the plant and animal species. The red belts at this part of the lake have a big ecological importance as biotopes for a lot of other organisms, places for fish reproduction, and bird nesting place. Related to bird nesting over 60,000 birds have been observed in lake Ohrid.
Based on the  biological and natural values the Albanian part of the lake Ohrid has been proclaimed as Protected Areas under the category V of IUCN.
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity

Due to the great cultural and historic values, the city area which dates back to the 19th - 20th century is in process to be proclaimed Historical Center. The original elements in the façade and interiors are evident but needs an overall restoration.
Regarding to the state of conservation of the paleochristian church of Lin, the periodic conservation works, have contributed in the conservation of the original wall contours and the floor mosaics.
Comparison with other similar properties

The triconch church of the village of Lin presents similarities with the baptistery of Butrint regarding the construction typology. Both these churches are the only central plan churches conserved in Albania. They are known also for the outstanding artistic values of the floor mosaics.
From the typological point of view the triconch church in the village of Lin can be compared with the tetraconch church in the city of Ohrid. Similarities can be seen in the location of the baptistery in the southern area. Given the similarity of their plans, their location, and the stylistic similarity of the floor mosaics as well as the mosaics schemes, it can be assumed that may have been constructed by the same workshops for the construction of floor mosaics operating in the area of Lake Ohrid.