Overview:

Saint Paraskevi Church is located in Korçë, Albania. It is a Greek Orthodox Church dedicated to Saint Paraskevi, which was built in the 18th century for the Greek Orthodox community of Korçë. The church features an impressive wooden iconostasis that is decorated with depictions of religious scenes and symbols in the Byzantine style. It is a protected national monument and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List of 2016. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

• It is the largest church in the city of Korçë and is the seat of the Metropolis of Korçë, Moscopole, and Argyrokastro. • Construction of the church began in 1895 and it was completed in 1910. • The exterior of the church features a mixture of styles, including Byzantine and Romanesque elements. • The interior features large frescoes of Saints, as well as a large iconostasis and gilded woodwork. • The clock tower is one of the more prominent features of the church’s exterior, as it sits atop the building's distinctive dome. • The building was declared a Monument of Culture of First Degree, as the ruler of Albania at the time, Ahmet Zogu I, gave permission for its construction in 1927. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

The present-day Saint Paraskevi Church (Albanian: Kisha Ortodokse Shën Paraskevi) is located on the site of a more ancient church constructed in the 15th century in Korçë, Albania. It stands as a testament to the region's long-standing tradition of Orthodox Christianity and its vibrant cultural history. The site of the Saint Paraskevi Church has been a place of worship for people of various religious denominations for centuries. Its construction is attributed to the Serbian monks who came to Albania in the 15th century and settled in the area. They constructed the first church on the current church site and dedicated it to Saint Paraskevi. Through the years, the church underwent several renovations. The first major renovation was conducted in the 18th century. The church was expanded and the exterior walls were decorated with frescoes, which are still visible today. The church was expanded again during the late 19th century, when a bell tower was added. During the 20th century, the church suffered from several damages, including its destruction by an earthquake in 1979. However, it was eventually restored in 1982. In 1995, it underwent a major renovation and was rededicated to Saint Paraskevi in a ceremony attended by hundreds of members of the local Orthodox community. Since then, Saint Paraskevi Church has been a religious and cultural center for the Orthodox Christian population of the region. It continues to draw many visitors each year who come to learn about the church and its history. Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Saint Paraskevi Church in Korçë is one of the oldest churches in the country and is believed to have been built in the 10th century. 2. This church is listed as a cultural monument offirst degree by the Albanian government. 3. The church is surrounded by an important cemetery which contains numerous graves of national and religious importance. 4. It was believed the church was named after the Saint Parascheva of the Balkans, who was an Orthodox saint and an important religious figure in the region. 5. In the late 19th century, the church was badly damaged from a fire. It has since been renovated and restored to its former glory. 6. The interior of the church is adorned with frescoes made by local artists and is one of the most popular sites in the Korçë region. 7. Every year on the feast day of Saint Paraskevi a religious and cultural celebration is hosted at the Church involving the local population. 8. The Church is an important place for the local community that attracts both local and international visitors. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era