Overview:

Saint Procopius Church is a Byzantine-style Catholic church located in Delvinë, Albania. Originally founded in the 5th century, the church was renovated in the 15th century and enlarged in 1817. Now a major tourist attraction, the church is widely known for its stunning architecture and artwork. The church features many beautiful paintings, frescoes, and mosaics, as well as a remarkable twelve-sided baptistery. The large dome, bell tower, and murals of Jesus and Mary that adorn the entrance to the building make the church a truly remarkable site to visit. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

-A neo-Byzantine style church located in Delvinë, Albania -Built in 17th century -Widely known as the "Church of the Saints Procopius" -Features thick brick walls, a single cupola and double steeples -A large dome over the main entrance -Fine frescoes and murals decorate the interior -Home to an old iconostasis with silver-plated icon frames -Considered a cultural monument of national importance, listed in the Cultural Monuments of Tirana list -Hosts the Delvina Jazz Festival each year You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

Saint Procopius Church is a Serbian Orthodox Church located in the city of Delvina, Albania. It has a long history that dates back to the 17th century, when the Serbian town of Žabljak was founded on the ruins of the Byzantine city of Delvina. The new town was dedicated to Saint Procopius, who was the patron saint of Serbia. The first church dedicated to St. Procopius was constructed in 1708 and consecrated by Serbian Patriarch Arsenije III. The church remained a powerful religious center for the Serbs of Delvina until the Albanian War of Independence in 1912, when the town was taken by the Ottomans and the church was burned to the ground. It was later rebuilt in 1923. The church survived the Communist regime relatively unscathed, despite its status as a target of anti-church propaganda. It was heavily damaged during the 1997 NATO bombing of the region, but it has since been restored and remains in use today. The church is a popular tourist destination. Every year, many Serbs and other Orthodox Christians from around the world visit the church to pay their respects. There is also a museum dedicated to the church which houses a collection of ecclesiastical articles, icons, and other artifacts related to Serbian Orthodoxy. Saint Procopius Church is a major cultural landmark in Delvina, representing centuries of Serbian history and influence in the city. It serves as an important reminder of the strong ties between the Serbs of Delvina and their Eastern Orthodox faith. Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. St. Procopius Church is the oldest and most important Byzantine-style church located in Delvinë, Albania. 2. It was first built in the 6th century AD and its original form featured a roof with four equal sides and a square nave. 3. During the Ottoman rule (15th-19th centuries) it was expanded and its roof was changed to a Greek cross style. 4. It is thought that there was once an external gallery with 45 columns connected to the church, although this is no longer standing. 5. The bell-tower of the church is from the 19th century and the interior of the church is painted in frescos from the late 18th century. 6. St. Procopius Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most important examples of Byzantine architecture in Albania. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era