On the enchanting shores of Lake Ohrid, in the southeastern Albanian village of Lin lies a historical treasure now confirmed as the oldest known settlement in all of Europe.
On June 30, 2025, the University of Bern, in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology of Albania and a team of Swiss and German experts, announced the final results of a four-year underwater excavation project. Their findings confirm that the stilt village of Lin dates back to around 6600 BC, approximately 8,600 years ago.
🏛️ Lin Village Declared an “Urban Architectural Ensemble” by UNESCO
In October 2025, the village of Lin on the magical shores of Lake Ohrid was officially declared an “Urban Architectural Ensemble” by UNESCO, as part of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region.
This recognition celebrates not only Lin’s prehistoric stilt settlement — now the oldest in Europe — but also its traditional urban fabric, cobblestone alleys, and vernacular houses that seamlessly integrate with the surrounding landscape.
UNESCO values Lin for:
- its exceptional blend of natural and cultural heritage,
- its preserved traditional architecture and urban layout,
- the use of local materials adapted to the micro-climate,
- and the harmony between human settlement and the lake environment.
Today, Lin stands as both an archaeological wonder and a living cultural landscape, symbolizing the timeless link between nature, architecture, and human civilization in Albania.
What was discovered in Lin?
Through underwater excavations, the Albanian-Swiss-German research team unearthed one of the most remarkable prehistoric settlements ever recorded:
- Thousands of well-preserved wooden posts once supporting houses built above water.
- Stone tools and early ceramics with decorative motifs typical of the Balkans’ earliest pottery.
- Thick layers of stamped ceramics, among the first of their kind in the region.
- Organized underground trenches, showing early urban planning.
- Pine-wood piles, remnants of roofs and walls.
- Dendrochronological data linking tree-ring samples between the Albanian and North Macedonian shores.
Experts confirm that this settlement predates even the famous prehistoric lake dwellings of the Swiss Alps, revealing advanced construction and agricultural techniques for its era.redates even the famous prehistoric lake dwellings in the Swiss Alps and other parts of the Balkans. It showcases advanced technologies for its time, especially in construction and agriculture.
A journey into prehistoric times
This groundbreaking discovery reshapes how we understand the origins of civilization in Europe. Lin is now a key archaeological reference for early human settlements, placing Albania at the heart of European prehistory.
📍 What to visit in Lin, Pogradec
Lin is more than just an archaeological marvel — it’s a place of natural beauty, local life, and lakeside tranquility:
- Explore Europe’s oldest known settlement, now accessible to visitors.
- Visit the ancient Lin mosaic, a Byzantine relic showcasing early Christian art.
- Enjoy panoramic views of Lake Ohrid on peaceful walking trails.
- Experience traditional cuisine and hospitality in this quiet lakeside village.
🏛️ For researchers, explorers, and nature lovers
Lin now stands as a landmark of prehistoric Europe, inviting researchers, history lovers, and travelers to uncover its secrets and imagine life 8,000 years ago.
📌 Visit Lin and discover the deepest roots of European civilization, where culture, nature, and archaeology meet in one unforgettable Albanian destination.
📖 For more extraordinary discoveries in Albania, including the largest underground thermal lake in the world, read also:
👉 Neuron Lake – A Geological Wonder in the Heart of Albania
👉 Nivica Travel Guide – Two Days in the Wild Heart of Albania
