Cultural Corridors of South East Europe

Heritage by Period / Middle Ages

Church of the Holy Virgin, Goranxi

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Church of the Holy Virgin, Goranxi

About the site


Corridor: Via Adriatica
Country: Albania, Goranxi, Dropulli region
Type: Christian religious centre
Epoch: Middle Ages
Theme: Christian Monasteries
World Heritage:
Middle AgesChristian MonasteriesChristian religious centre

The monastery is one of the most interesting in the Dropulli region. The church was built in 1600 and its characteristic architectural and decoration features, such as the elegant stone arches, the anthropomorphic and zoomorphic high relief, could be a subject of studies in post Byzantine art and architecture. Scholars expressed the opinion that the church shows strong western influence.
The church consists of a nave, narthex and exonarthex. The interior is characterized by a particular proportion of elements with predominance of vertical axes, and by highly elaborated architectural elements, in particular capitals and gates. The church is built in stone laid in regular courses. The masonry surface is decorated by drum and apse. The high belfry with two niches in the bottom and three in the upper part is part of the western wall.
Because of its artistic and architectural values, and evidence of Western influence, the church is of outstanding national importance.

Council of Europe



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