Venetian Triangular Castle

About The Venetian Triangular Castle

As the name suggests the Venetian Triangular Castle is a castle in the shape of a triangle with round towers on each corner. The castle is located next to the Vivari Channel in the Butrint National Park and offers great views at Butrint to the north and the villages of Vrinë and Shëndëlli in the south. From the castle you can also see the fishing traps in the Vivari Channel. The tower on the south-eastern side provides the best views.

The fortress was built by the Venetians in the 15th century in order to defend the fishing traps, which formed an important source of food and income for the settlement. Butrint has been under attack several times over the centuries and the Venetians decided it would be cheaper to move the village to a new, smaller fortification. As soon as the Venetian Triangluar Castle was finished, the old village of Butrint was abandoned for the newly built accommodation.

Later additions include the circular building inside the courtyard. This might have been an hammam that was added by the Ottomans.

How To Get To The Venetian Triangular Castle

The Venetian Triangular Castle is located in the Butrint National Park but located outside of the archaeological park, on the south side of the Vivari Channel. To get there you can take the bus to Butrint and get out at the final stop in front of the archaeological site. The bus departs every hour on the half and costs 100 lëke. To cross the Vivari Channel to the castle, you can take the small cable ferry.

Alternative options to get there are to rent a car or motorcycle, take a taxi or book a tour that includes the Butrint National Park.