Overview:

Saint Mary Church, Zvërnec In Albania is a 12th-century Serbian Orthodox church located in Zvërnec, Albania. The church is thought to have been founded by archimandrite Mar Simon, the first Abbot of Zvernec, before 1166. Characteristic of the Medieval churches of the župa of Dyrrhachium, the Saint Mary church of Zvërnec features the Romanesque style of church architecture, which was common in the northern part of the Balkans during the Middle Ages. The church is decorated with numerous frescoes, thought to have been painted during the 14th century. Today, the church is in a state of disrepair, and only a few of the frescoes remain intact. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

* The Church of Saint Mary is one of the oldest and most important Orthodox religious centers in Albania, located on the island of Zvërnec in Lake Shkodra. *The church and its associated buildings were built between the 14th and 19th centuries. *Inside the church, there are many beautiful frescoes and icons that are attributed to the famous Cretan painter Theodoros Bizos. *The church is a historic site of importance for Orthodoxy and is believed to have been founded by the first Albanian archimandrite of the Orthodox Church, Pal Engel. *It is one of three churches located on Zvërnec Island, the other two being the 12th century Church of Saint Nicholas and the 19th century Church of Saint George. *The church is a popular tourist destination and visitable through boat tours from the historic town of Shkodra. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

The Monastery of Saint Mary in Zvërnec, Albania is an Eastern Orthodox monastery located on an island in the Narta Lagoon, near the city of Vlorë. It is one of the few surviving monuments from Albanian medieval architecture. The monastery was built by a noble of the nearby city of Mamurras, the Araniti family, during the 13th century. According to legend, the monastery was founded after a ship carrying the Araniti family’s relics of Saint Mary was wrecked on the island; this inspired the family to build the monastery of her name. Since then, the monastery has been a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians from all over Albania, and it remains a center for Orthodox life in the area today. The monastery church, dedicated to the Mother of God, is a cross-in-square structure of three arched portals and decorated with wonderful frescoes from the 18th and 19th centuries. The interior also has various carvings and sculptures from the 17th century, including those belonging to the Araniti family. The monastery is also home to several other religious relics, including a reliquary chest from 6th century Jerusalem and a piece of the True Cross. The monastery grounds include several chapels and an outdoor altar, as well as several gardens and a fountain. Despite its long and rich history, the monastery was damaged during the communism period and nearly destroyed during the Kosovo war. However, after it was renovated in the early 2000s, it was declared a National Monument and remains an important site in Albanian history and culture. Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The St. Mary Church in Zvërnec, Albania, is considered one of the most important historical sites in the country. 2. According to archaeological excavations, the church dates back to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest surviving religious monuments in the country. 3. The earliest known documents mentioning the church officially date from the 15th century. 4. The church has been subject to reconstructions and renovations over time, the most recent of which was carried out at the end of the 19th century. 5. The St. Mary Church is also home to one of the largest collections of Ioannis Kolettis’s works, including impressive frescoes and a marble baptismal font donated by the Axiros family. 6. The church complex is also composed of other smaller structures and includes a cemetery, a cloister, two chapels, a bell tower, a schoolroom, and storage rooms. 7. The St. Mary Church is known for its beautiful Byzantine-style frescoes which are believed to have been painted in the 17th century. 8. In 2011, the church was added to UNESCO’s world heritage list. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era