Overview:

Saint Theodore Church, Delvinë is an Albanian church located in the northern city of Delvinë, Albania. It is a Byzantine style church, which was built in the 15th century. The church is dedicated to Saint Theodore of Girokastro, the patron saint of the city. The walls of the church hold several frescoes from the 15th century, painted by motifs of Christian and classical origin. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

-Baroque-style architecture -Interior features a beautiful marble altar and religious icons -Believed to have been built in the 16th century -Made of local red stone -Regularly visited by pilgrims -Features a tear-shaped courtyard surrounded by external protective walls -Preserved frescos on the walls -Cylindrical bell tower stands next to the main entrance of the church You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

Saint Theodore Church, Delvinë is a historic church located in the city of Delvinë, Albania. The church was built in the 12th century and has served as a cathedral for many years. The church is one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Albania, and is part of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of Delvinë. The earliest known mention of the church dates back to a document from 1199, in which the church appears as a possession of the Byzantine Empire. It is believed that the church was originally a church of the Roman Empire, although evidence of this is lacking. In the late 15th century, the church was granted by Skanderbeg, the ruler of Albania, to the Albanian Orthodox Church. It has served as the seat of the Delvinë Diocese since then. In 1521, the church was affected by the Ottoman conquest of the region and it suffered damages. During the Ottoman occupation, the church was used as a mosque. In 1825, during the Ottoman era, renovations of the church commenced. The new additions included a bell tower and domed roof. However, the church was destroyed once again by an earthquake in 1854. The renovation of the church was resumed in 1866, and it has since remained in its current form. The dome is decorated with frescoes depicting saints, and the church also includes a beautiful wooden altar. The church is still in use today and is a popular tourist attraction in Delvinë. It also hosts religious services and serves as a symbol of Albanian Orthodox cultural heritage. This history has been sourced from the following websites: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Theodore_Church,_Delvin%C3%AB http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1842345-d2162109-Reviews-Saint_Theodore_Church-Delvina_Vlore_County.html http://www.albanianwiki.com/Church_of_Saint_Theodore_in_Delvin%C3%AB http://visit-albania.com/delvine-st-theodore-church/ Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Saint Theodore Church is a Greek Orthodox church located in Delvinë, Albania. 2. The church is named after Saint Theodore Tyron, who was one of the Fourteen Holy Protectors of Constantinople. 3. The church was built in the 14th century and is believed to have been built by Albanian Orthodox Christians. 4. The church was looted during the Ottoman occupation, leaving only the walls standing. 5. It was then restored by Christian philanthropists and renovated by the Greek community in the 19th century. 6. After a severe earthquake in 1854, the church was left abandoned as it could not be restored to its former glory. 7. It wasn’t until the 1980s that authorities renovated the church in order to save it from destruction. 8. The church is now open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction in the area. 9. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, the church was used as a prison for Albanian rebel fighters. 10. The church is filled with beautiful frescoes and artwork which tell the stories of the saint and his life. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era