Overview:

Voskopoja Monastery is a historic Roman Catholic monastery located in the village of Voskopoja, in Korçë County, southeastern Albania. Dating back to the 18th century, it is an important symbol of Albanian cultural identity and is protected as a Monument of Culture of Albania. The main structure of the monastery is composed of two churches, one for the local community and one for its monks, as well as a small building for the abbot. It is one of the most important spiritual landmarks of Roman Catholicism in Albania, and is a popular destination for pilgrimage and religious tourism. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Albania
Prominent Features:

1. Architectural Significance: The walls of the Voskopoja Monastery are constructed with thick stone masonry walls, built in an irregular geometric plan. The walls are decorated with red brick cornices. The entrance has an ornate wooden portal, with the icon of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the Monastery. 2. Historical Significance: The Monastery was established as early as 16th century and is considered as one of the oldest and most important religious monuments in Albania. It has served as the spiritual centre for both the Greek and Albanian Orthodox population for centuries. 3. Cultural Significance: The Monastery is also known for its many cultural events and festivals. It celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2015 with a cultural festival that celebrated the history, art, music and culture of the region. 4. Natural Significance: The Monastery is located in a rural and untouched environment and it is an ideal place to observe the wildlife of the region. The area is also known for its flora and fauna with many endemic species in the area. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Albania.

History:

Voskopoja Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located about 18 miles south of Korçe, Albania, near the town of Voskopojë. The monastery was founded in the middle of the 18th century by Serbian bishop Pajsije of Vranje (1726–1785), who served from 1746 to 1752 as Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Belgrade, Srem and Kosovo-Raska. Until 1941, the community was Orthodox and Serbian. It then became part of Albania, and the monastery was confiscated by the Albanian communists. During the Communist era, the monastery was neglected and used for livestock. In 2003, a Greek philanthropist and businessman, Lazaros Kochiadakis, returned to the monastery from Athens and renovated it, believing that the monastery should be owned by the public. Since then, services have been regularly held in the monastery, including Orthodox liturgies, and it has become a spiritual center for the Serbs in the area. The monastery is built from stone and contains a small library with a selection of religious texts and artifacts. There is a chapel and several frescoes painted by the 18th century painter Pavle Simić, as well as a bell tower and a reconstruction of the 17th century Voskopoj Monastery. The monastery is also known for its traditional homemade pastries and local products for sale. The monastery is listed as a cultural monument of Serbia, as it is considered part of Serbia's spiritual heritage, as well as a cultural monument of the Republic of Albania. Sources * Здравко Савић, Андрија З. На трагању истока Свештеник Пајшије од Врања. Историја Воскопојских манастира на територији Албаније и Македоније, 1751-1825 година. Belgrade, 2009 Jovan Aleksic, “Voskopoja Monastery” in On the Trails of East Orthodoxy: The Prince-Archbishop Pajsije of Vranje and His Voskopoje Monastery. History of the Voskopoje Monasteries in Albania and Macedonia, 1751-1825, edited by Zdravko Savic, Belgrade: Editor's Group OIPC, 2009, pp.115-136. Bonić, Milka. “Voskopoje Monastery.” Byzantine Heritage and Serbian Art III: The Monuments and Art of Kosovo and Metohija. Thessaloniki: Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies, 2008, pp.178-188. Rukavina, Milorad & Djordje Djordjevic. “Voskopoje Monastery.” Serbian Monastic Culture. Belgrade: The Monastery of Krusedol, 2002, pp. 301-319. Visit one of the famous monuments of Albania with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Voskopoja Monastery is a historical monument located in modern day Voskopoja, a small town situated in the Korçë District of Albania. 2. The Monastery of Voskopoja was built in the 17th century under the directorship of the Sultan's Grand Vizier, Sulejman, and was once the largest and most important religious center in the region. 3. The Monastery is known for its impressive architecture, having an attractive façade and many frescoes on its walls. 4. It is situated amidst four hills, which contribute to its beauty and provide it with a higher level of protection. 5. The Monastery has been declared a Cultural Monument of Albania and is now UNESCO-protected. 6. It is believed that during its grandeur, Voskopoja Monastery had as many as 80 resident monks and housed a library with more than 2,000 books. 7. The Monastery of Voskopoja has suffered several times over the centuries due to natural disasters, but still stands tall today and is extremely popular among tourists who visit Albania. One of the historical monuments of Albania, it tells the story of a bygone era