Saint Anthony Church, Laç, Catholic monastery in Laç, Albania
Saint Anthony Church in Laç is a simple single-nave sanctuary with thick stone walls preserved to roughly one meter in height. The small rectangular structure measures 7.5 meters in length and 5 meters in width, displaying the basic form of an early religious chapel.
The site was founded in 1557 and dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, but was destroyed during the communist period in the 1960s. It was rebuilt in 1994, marking a return to religious practice after decades of suppression.
Muslims and Catholics visit this pilgrimage site together, reflecting how people of different faiths in Albania share sacred spaces and spiritual practices. The monastery demonstrates religious coexistence woven into local life.
The sanctuary is open to visitors year-round, with the main pilgrimage occurring on June 13 for Saint Anthony's feast day. This annual gathering offers the best opportunity to experience the site in its most active state.
The sanctuary walls feature carved stones with Star of David symbols arranged in six distinct rows throughout the structure. These carved emblems hint at historical connections between different religious traditions that coexisted in the region.
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