Ardenica Monastery

 monastery, orthodox christianity, interesting place

Often referred to as "The Castle of Myzeqe" is an orthodox site dedicated to the Nativity of the All-Holy Theotokos with a feast day on 8 September. Some scholars date its beginning back to the 10th century, with the monastery founded in the 13th or 14th century during the Despotate of Epiros. The central church was built in 1743 with funds contributed by the merchants of Voskopoja. The church is fully decorated with frescoes by two brothers, Constantine and Athanasius Zografi from Korça. In the depictions are seven saints that Christianized the Slavs and also St. John Koukouzeles from Durrës. Koukouzeles was a famous Byzantine musicologist of the 12th century. Most of the iconostasis were also painted in 1744 by a local painter, Constantine, from the region of Shpati, Elbasan. Some icons are held in local and national museums and in collections ain at least five countries, Greece, Italy, Austria, Hungary and Poland. The original iconostasis was repainted in 1804. All the wood carvings are decorated in gold paint and are based on elements from nature. The church also holds other silver and metal works of art. In 1932, a fire destroyed the library of the monastery including nearly all manuscripts, prints and other valuable objects. After the fire, the monastery ceased to have a monastic brotherhood. Under the communists, Bishop Irenaeus saved the monastery from destruction. The Monastery is believed to be the place where George Kastrioti Skanderbeg was either crowned as "Prince of the Epirotes and the Albanians" or where he was married. The communists used the monastery as an army barracks for one year and did significant damage. Later it was declared a "Monument of Culture" and protected by the state. In 1988 it functioned as a leisure center, with sleeping rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a club, etc. It was returned to the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania on Holy Thursday 1996. Some restoration was done in 1999. It is a unique site in Albania. It is located on a hill overlooking the Plain of Myzeqe. Climb the hill on a good paved road located on the south edge of the town of Kolonjë. There is an adequate and clean hotel/restaurant with a nautical theme located on the north side of the hill overlooking the town. Credit: Ardenica Brochure