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Sarnada, Jonian Pearl
Saranda is situated in an open sea gulf, opposite the island of Corfu. The sea panorama, the variety
of flora, favored by the soft climate, make Saranda the preferred center for rest and recreation and an important tourist
town. Most Albanian couples come to spend their honey-moon in Saranda. That's why it is known in
Albania as the town of the honey-mooners.
There are today, daily ferry services to
and from Corfu. Saranda is rapidly developing into the southern gateway for tourism into Albania.
Near Saranda stood the ancient Illyrian city of Onchesmos, mentioned as a port in the 1st century B.C. In the 4th century
A.C.. the town was fortified with walls. Inside the walls have been excavated the remains of dwellings, water cisterns and
an early Christian Basilica of the 5th and 6th century, containing a beautiful multicolored floor mosaic. Other mosaics are
to be found in the district museum. The ruins are also preserved of an early Christian Monastery, of the 40 Saints, from which
the modern name of the town (Saranda) is derived.
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