There is little information about the Triangular Fortress, compared with the more visited Butrint close by. It is worth making the effort to visit, not only for the views back of Butrint, but also the experience of using the pontoon style chain operated ferry to reach it. Foot passengers are charged 100 Lek 9about 70p) for the return crossing. It is worth it!
The Triangular Fortress is across the Vivari Channel from Venetian Tower at Butrint. It is surrounded by the sea on one side and a water filled ditch on the other.
This was originally built in the late C15th or early C16th by the Venetians in response to attacks by the Ottomans and to control access to the channel and to protect the fisheries. It was a triangular enclosure with firing loops at ground and parapet levels. There were towers at the corners and vaulted rooms along the inside of the walls were used as magazines,and store rooms and provided an artillery platform. The gateway was originally protected by a bastion and ditch.
The French seized the fortress in 1798 and badly damaged the towers. The fortress was rebuilt by Ali Pasha as part of his resistance to the Ottoman Turks and was abandoned in the 1860s.
Unfortunately it was locked when we visited and there was no entry to it.
We visited as part of a trip to Albania. My full report and all the pictures are “here.”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/otherholidays/albania/index.html
