Overview:

Saint Michael Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the city of Delvinë in southern Albania. The church was built in 1773 and is now a protected monument of culture. The church has undergone various restorations and renovations, most recently in 2011, when the bell tower and other elements of the facade were refurbished. It is one of the most visited and popular churches in the region. Inside the church is a valuable painting, a wooden statue and a polychrome representation of Archangel Michael. It is a symbol of faith for many visiting pilgrims and tourists. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

1. Gothic architecture: Saint Michael Church, Delvinë is an example of Gothic architecture in Albania. It has a pointed arch entrance, buttresses, tracery windows, and other features typical of the style. 2. Arched entrance: A large, pointed arch doorway in the center of the façade allows visitors to enter the building. 3. Tracery windows: Several Gothic-style tracery windows are present in Saint Michael Church, Delvinë. These beautiful, pointed arch windows decorate the church's exterior and allow light to enter the interior. 4. Buttresses: The church is supported by numerous buttresses along the sides and at regular intervals around the perimeter. 5. Spire: At the top of the building is a spire with a cross. This feature is meant to symbolize the power of Christianity in the area. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

The Saint Michael Church in Delvinë is a Greek byzantine-style church built in the early 15th century and dedicated to Archangel Michael. It is located in the town of Delvinë, in the Vlora County of Southern Albania. The church has been listed as a Cultural Monument of Albania since 1971. The church is believed to have been built after the fall of the medieval Byzantine Empire in the early 15th century. Records reveal that an Orthodox priest by the name of Presbiter Michael ministered the church in 1464. From the 17th century onwards, the Protestants took control of the church, eventually turning it into a Lutheran Church. The church underwent several renovations over time, mainly due to damage caused by significant earthquakes that affected the region. In 1960, the building was heavily damaged due to the Vlora earthquake, and by the end of the 20th century, the church was in a state of disrepair. In 2005, the Preservation and Restoration Centre of the Institute of Monuments of the Cultural Monuments in Tirana launched a campaign to restore the church to its former glory. During this period, archaeological studies, conservation and restoration works, as well as visitor facilities were all undertaken in an effort to restore the church. In 2006, the restoration of Saint Michael Church in Delvinë was completed and it was officially reopened for public use. Today, Saint Michael Church in Delvinë serves as a spiritual centre for both visitors and locals alike. The church is open to the public and remains a hot spot for cultural and religious activities in Delvinë. Sources: 1. Trimaj, E. (2005). Brief History of Saint Michael Church in Delvina. Retrieved from https://www.imtw.al/en/projects/delvina-church/ 2. The Albanian Government. (2001). National Historic Monument Database: Saint Michael Church in Delvinë. Retrieved from http://dmcm.gov.al/index.php?id=61&objekti=109. Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Saint Michael Church is the largest Christian church in Albania. 2. It was originally built in the 13th century, and was destroyed in 1417 during the Ottoman invasion of Delvinë. 3. It was rebuilt in the 18th century in an Ottoman-style with a central dome, two bell towers, and seven chapels. 4. It is decorated with an impressive collection of 19th century icons and frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and saints. 5. The church has been restored multiple times, most recently in 1990 after the fall of Communism in Albania. 6. The relics of Saint Michael are kept in a silver reliquary in the church and are venerated on his Feast Day, September 29th. 7. An ancient cross, said to date back to the 12th century, can also be found inside the church as well as an icon of the Virgin Mary. 8. The church holds annual festivals to celebrate the major events in the Christian calendar. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era