Churches evoking the golden age of Voskopoja restored
Nestled in the northern reaches of Voskopoja, the Monastery of Saint Prodhom stands within a tranquil pine forest, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Entry is through a grand gate that opens into a serene inner courtyard.
To one side is the monks’ quarters, a cluster of simple yet enduring rooms that once housed their daily lives, while on the other, rises the church, its solemn presence anchoring the courtyard with spiritual gravity. Both edifices evoke the grandeur of Voskopoja’s golden age, making it easy to envision the town at the height of its cultural and spiritual flourishing.
Father Thoma Samaraj opens the church door with pride and joy. After thirty years of providing pastoral care, he can finally welcome the faithfuls to celebrations in a restored sanctuary, with its frescoes glowing with life again, and its ceiling free from the burden of dripping water. “The monastery church was built around 1630, with its paintings completed in 1659. Over the centuries, time left its mark, and during the communist era the frescoes suffered further damage. I have been serving here since the 1990s, when the church was leaking and the frescoes were scarred by moisture and frost”, recalls father Thoma Samaraj.
The Monastery of Saint Prodhom is restored lately in the framework of EU funded project, “Improving cultural tourism potential through interventions in cultural heritage sites in Voskopoja”, an initiative reviving Albanian cultural heritage of the area.
EU Delegation to Albania
Constructed in the 17th century and designated a Category I Cultural Monument, the monastery stands as one of Albania’s most significant cultural landmarks, safeguarding rare frescoes and Byzantine-style features that embody the enduring artistic and spiritual traditions of Voskopoja. The works included the completion of building restoration, particularly the roof and supporting structures of the church, alongside conservation of mural paintings to prevent further deterioration. Works in the konaks included restoring stone slab roofs, walls, and installing hydro‑insulation layers, while the church itself underwent vault and dome cleaning, wall plastering with traditional horasan, structural consolidation and façade protection. The monastery’s surroundings have been carefully revitalized, with cobblestone paths winding through restored stone walls and welcoming touches, like benches and signs for visitors.
Once-neglected areas have been cleared, grass planted, and old military structures removed, allowing the sacred space to breathe again. Inside, the frescoes and wooden details have been carefully conserved, with their colours revived, surfaces repaired, and delicate features protected for the future. The work has been carried out with care and safety, supported by scaffolding, while modern lighting and fire systems now ensure both preservation and comfort. Together, these efforts have transformed the monastery into a place where history, beauty, and faith can flourish for generations to come.
The monuments of Voskopoja hold immense value. Architecturally, they reflect the sophistication of 18th‑century religious design, while artistically, their walls are adorned with masterful murals painted by the craftsmen of the era. On the far side of the village rises the Cathedral of Saint Mary. Beneath its bell tower, a modest gate beckons visitors inside, where graceful porticoes unfold to frame a magnificent view, one that weaves together the sacred, the mystical, and hope. Even along the outer walls, murals breathe life into biblical stories, reminding all who pass of humanity’s enduring bond with the divine. The preserved traces reveal that this site once held an entire building complex, whispering of its former scale and significance.
EU Delegation to Albania
The church is a three‑nave basilica with a narthex, destroyed during World War II, and a southern porch lost to the 1960 earthquake. According to the donor’s inscription, its frescoes were painted in 1712 by Theodor Anagnosti and Steriani, master artists from the village of Agrafa. Father Thoma underscores its significance, noting not only the name it bears, Saint Mary, but also its stature as a cathedral.
The Restoration of St. Mary’s Church in Voskopoje involved a wide range of conservation and structural works to safeguard its historical and cultural value, breathing new life into this former cathedral. Its roof and walls have been repaired, frescoes and wooden details carefully revived, and the grounds revitalized with cobblestone paths, greenery, and welcoming spaces for visitors. The bell tower, cemetery, and surrounding landscape have all been carefully restored, while modern lighting and safety systems now protect the site, ensuring both durability and authenticity in the preservation of this former cathedral.
EU Delegation to Albania
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The EU funded project: “Improving cultural tourism potential through interventions in cultural heritage sites in Voskopoja” includes the restoration projects for 2 churches and 2 monasteries in Korça Region, in the villages of Voskopojë and Vithkuq: St. Prodhrom Monastery, Voskopojë; St. Michael Church, Voskopojë; St. Peter and St. Paul Monastery, including St. Kozma and Damian Church in Vithkuq and St. Maria Church in Voskopojë. The project aims to develop the tourism sector, to augment visitor experience, and increase the touristic offer in the region of Korça, through the promotion of monuments of culture, as the 2 churches and 2 monasteries have the protected status of Monuments of Culture of First Category. The Albania infrastructure and tourism-enabling project is supported by the EU through technical assistance and investment grants totalling €40 million. The EBRD contributes a €60 million loan to the Albanian government. Implemented by the Albanian Development Fund, the programme supports investment in cultural and natural heritage sites across four regions: Berat, Fier, Korçë and Shkodër. It also covers municipal and environmental infrastructure, transport links and tourism-related businesses throughout Albania.