St. Nicholas' Monastery Church, Mesopotam

The stone church features a double apse design with circular walls and stands as a prominent example of medieval religious architecture in southern Albania.

Built in 1224, the monastery complex incorporated stones from an ancient temple dating back to the 3rd century BC connected to the Epirote capital of Phoenice.

The church walls display carved figures including an eagle, a lion, and dragons, representing a mix of pre-Christian and Orthodox Christian artistic elements.

Visitors can reach the monastery via the SH99 road through Mesopotam village, following signs marked 'Monastiri i Mesopotamit' to the church location.

The monastery held stauropegion status, making it directly accountable to Constantinople's Patriarch rather than local bishops, leading to notable jurisdictional conflicts.

Location: Finiq municipality

Location: Vlorë County

Architectural style: Byzantine architecture

Part of: Mesopotam

GPS coordinates: 39.90580,20.10060

Latest update: March 4, 2025 07:40