Overview:

Saint Peter and Paul Church, Korçë (in Albanian: Kisha Shën Pjetra e Palit, Korçë) is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Korçë in eastern Albania. It was built in the 12th or 13th century and is one of the oldest churches in the country. It was built in the Byzantine style and has a single nave with heavy walls and a bell tower. In the 17th century, the church was extended, restored and transformed into a baroque structure. The church is still in use today and is recognized as a historic monument of culture by the Albanian government. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

-A classic Byzantine-style church constructed between 1787-1833 -Built of stone and brick -Baroque and Rococo interior decoration -Iconostasis made of wood and encrusted with gold -A stone wall surrounding the church -Statues of Saints Peter, Paul, and John the Baptist -Six ornately decorated bell towers -Roman columns and Corinthian capitals which line the front of the church -Ceiling frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible -The crypt where relics of Saint Naum, Saint Peter, and Saint Paul are kept -The Tomb of Skenderbeg, a national hero of Albania You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

The Saint Peter and Paul Church (Albanian: Kisha Shen Pali dhe Pals) in Korçë, Albania, is a monument of the Byzantine style of architecture. It is the oldest and highest-standing church in Korçë, and is widely considered to be one of the historically important religious centres in the region. The construction of the Church of St. Peter and Paul began in 1833, and was completed in 1835 by the ruling prince of Albania, Dhoro Kolonja II. It is likely that the Greek monk, Giovanni Hurmoushe, who took up residence in Korçë at the time, was commissioned by Kolonja to work on the design and construction of the church. The church was gradually renovated and expanded several times in the following years. The church is known for its frescoes, which were painted by the iconographers Zacharias and Damianos from the 19th century. The frescoes portray religious topics from the life of Jesus Christ, such as His Crucifixion and other episodes from the Bible. From the original construction, only one side of the church remains intact. The other three sides were damaged in 1854, during the Ottoman-Russian War. Tragically, much of the damage caused to the church was permanent. Today, the Church of Saint Peter and Paul serves both the Albanian Catholic and Eastern Orthodox communities, as well as other denominations. It is open for visitors and serves as a place of religious pilgrimage. It is one of the most important Albanian religious monuments, visited by many tourists from all over the world. Sotila History of Sotila Sotila (formerly known as Soti) is a small town in the Tirana region of Albania. It was once the capital of the Albanian Despotate and is now one of the oldest settlements in the area. It is believed that Sotila has existed since the 4th century and was first mentioned in documents by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. The name Sotila became prominent when the Soti family took over the area around 1350. They were a small but powerful family that would rule the region for several centuries. During this period, Sotila was the centre of the Albanian Despotate and was the base of Soti forces. In 1594, the Soti clan moved their capital from Sotila to Tirana, paving the way for the city's rise to prominence. Sotila itself became a backwater in comparison, becoming a small farming village until the 19th century when it experienced a brief resurgence. Today, Sotila is a quiet, picturesque village with an interesting history. Despite its small size, it remains one of the oldest settlements in the area, with some of its original structures still standing. It is also a popular destination for tourists, who come to explore its historic sites. Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Saint Peter and Paul Church is located in the city of Korçë, in the southeastern part of Albania. 2. The Church was built in 1901, and has a diverse architectural style, combining both Gothic and Baroque elements. 3. The building was initially constructed in a neo-Romanesque style and underwent several changes thereafter. 4. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the Balkans and is known for its stunning stained glass windows and impressive roof dome. 5. The Church’s interior is decorated with many beautiful frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible. 6. The Church also contains a rich collection of Vatican manuscripts on display. 7. The Church is home to some unique relics, such as an ancient altar piece and a marble plaque with the fingerprints of Saint Paul. 8. Saint Peter and Paul Church is one of the most important religious sites in Albania and is a popular destination for pilgrims. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era