Overview:

The Saint Procopius Church in Shkodër, Albania is a shrine dedicated to Blessed Procopius, a saint who lived in the 13th century and who is well known as the patron saint of the city. The Saint Procopius Church is one of the most important monuments in Shkodër and is a testament to the faith of the people in the Albanian region. The church is built in the style of an Orthodox Church and features a number of frescos which depict the life and miracles of Saint Procopius. The building is also home to several relics and artifacts related to the life and work of Saint Procopius. The church is surrounded by a beautiful garden and is open for visitors who wish to pay their respects. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

1. Gothic architecture: The church is constructed in Gothic style, showcasing its remarkable archways, solid walls, and widely-spaced buttresses. 2. Ornate facades: The church has two facades: the main facade features ornamental designs while the secondary facade has a more restrained decor. 3. Arched windows: The church has six windows on the main facade and four on the secondary facade, which are all arched in shape. 4. Gothic bell tower: The bell tower is 65 metres tall, and crafted in Gothic style, featuring tall towers and intricate details. 5. Reliefs: The facades of the church are adorned with many reliefs, including images of Biblical scenes and religious motifs. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

The Roman Catholic Church of Saint Procopius is located in Shkodër, Albania. This church is named after Saint Procopius of Sázava, a contemporary of Saint Adalbert (Vojtěch), Bishop of Prague, and a martyr of the Bohemian Forest, who was publicly martyred in Bohemia in 986. The church in Shkodër was founded in 1928, during the rule of King Zog I of Albania. The first chapel of the church was built by the monks of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on a part of the 6th-century castle of Rozafa, which, at the time, belonged to the princely family of Montenegro. The church was officially consecrated on May 21, 1931, by Archbishop Antonio Santin. The original church was demolished during the communist era and was rebuilt in 1981. In 2005, under the guidance of the Franciscan missionaries from Austria and the Diocese of Shkodër–Pult, the church was completely renovated. In 2004, the church became the seat of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today, Saint Procopius Church holds regular mass services and is a popular tourist attraction, offering a nice view of the city of Shkodër and the lake nearby. The church is also used as a venue for various cultural and social events, such as concerts, workshops and conferences. Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Saint Procopius Church in Shkodër, Albania is an important site of pilgrimage and has been a place of worship for thousands of years. 2. It is believed to be the oldest still standing Christian church in the country, with some evidence suggesting that the building dates back to the 4th or 5th century AD. 3. The church has withstood invasions, fires, earthquakes, and wars to remain standing today. 4. The main fresco inside the church depicts the three martyrs, Saint Procopius, Saint Bassus, and Saint Symeon. 5. An inscriptions within the building also says that the church was built by five nuns. 6. The church was an important epicenter of Albanian culture from the 15th to the 19th centuries, when it contained much of the country’s literature, written in both Greek and Latin. 7. In 1867 a subterranean crypt was discovered beneath the church which contained remains of two saints, believed to be Saint Procopius and Bassus. 8. According to local legend, it is said that a secret underground passage links Saint Procopius Church to the Rozafa Castle, located about two kilometres away. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era