Grabovë Church Explained

St. Nicholas Church in Grabovë
Designation1:Cultural Monument of Albania
Designation1 Date:February 15, 2005
Designation1 Partof:Under protection
Designation1 Number:GR010
Designation1 Criteria:I
Designation1 Type:Architectural
Location:Grabovë e Sipërme, Gramsh District, Elbasan County, Albania
Built:18th century
Coordinates:40.7936°N 20.4092°W

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; Arumanian; Macedo-Romanian: 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 25m (82feet) by 20m (70feet). 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 1m (03feet) by 2m (07feet). The floor is built from stone slabs. Worshipers and other area residents are buried in and around the structure.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Religious buildings with the "Culture Monument" status . Republic of Albania National Committee for Cult . October 28, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706071224/http://kshk.gov.al/index.php?fq=brenda&gj=gj2&kid=19 . July 6, 2011 .
  2. News: Kisha e Grabovës viktimë e grabitësve, shpreson në rikthimin e ikonave . September 19, 2020 . Gazeta Sot . October 20, 2017.