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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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