Grabovë Church

St. Nicholas Church in Grabovë
Native name
Kisha e Shën Kollit (Albanian)
Grabovë Church is located in Albania
Grabovë Church
Location of St. Nicholas Church in Grabovë in Albania
LocationGrabovë e Sipërme, Gramsh District, Elbasan County, Albania
Coordinates40°47′37″N 20°24′33″E / 40.79361°N 20.40917°E / 40.79361; 20.40917
Built18th century
TypeArchitectural
CriteriaI
DesignatedFebruary 15, 2005
Part ofUnder protection
Reference no.GR010

Grabovë Church (Albanian: Kisha e Grabovës) is an Orthodox church dedicated to Saint Nicholas (the church is thus also known as the St. Nicholas Church; Albanian: Kisha e Shën Kollit; Aromanian: Bãsearica Ayiu Nicola) in Grabovë e Sipërme, Elbasan County, Albania. It is a Cultural Monument of Albania.[1]

History

Built in the 18th century, the church follows the pattern of many Eastern Orthodox churches with its east-west axis. The main entrance is from the south, and the entire church is around 25 metres (82 ft) by 20 metres (66 ft). The masonry uses local stone and the roof is covered in roof tiles typical of the area. The church features a main nave by the entrance and both an outer nave to the south and a narthex to the west. Painted wooden friezes decorate the ceiling, include an original fresco above the main gate of 1 metre (3.3 ft) by 2 metres (6.6 ft). The floor is built from stone slabs. Worshipers and other area residents are buried in and around the structure.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Religious buildings with the "Culture Monument" status". Republic of Albania National Committee for Cult. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  2. ^ "Kisha e Grabovës viktimë e grabitësve, shpreson në rikthimin e ikonave". Gazeta Sot. October 20, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2020.