Saint Mary Church

About

Founded in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the ‘current’ church dates from the 10th century. For centuries it housed a fragment of the True Cross, making it and important pilgrimage site. The church was in use until 1967, when Albania banned religious services. Today, the building is considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Albania, with its characteristic brick and stonework, fishbone pattern, and signature dome, the oldest in the region. The interior is dominated by astounding ornate woodwork, much of which is gilded, such as the centuries-old iconostasis.