St. Anthony Church, Durrës Explained

St. Anthony Church, Durrës
Native Name:Kisha e Shën Ndojt
Native Language:sq
Designation1:Cultural Monument of Albania
Designation2 Date:1963
Location:Ishëm, Durrës, Albania
Coordinates:41.583°N 19.4583°W

The ruins of St. Anthony Church (Albanian: Kisha e Shën Ndojt) is located at Rodon Cape (alternatively known as Skanderbeg Cape) in Durrës County, is a Cultural Monument of Albania. It became a Cultural Monument in 1963.[1] It is also the burial place of Andrea II Muzaka and of his wife Euphemia Mataranga.

History

Saint Anthony Church was of the most popular churches of the area of the Albanian Medieval Period. This is also due to the construction of Skanderbeg's Castle in that Cape area in the 15th century, Indirectly it is called the Skanderbeg church.

Based on documents dated from 1418, the church is thought to have been principally connected to a Byzantine monastery dedicated to Saint Mary that was situated near the current church. The architectural style was Romano-Gothic.[2] Later sources of 1599 show that at that period the monastery was dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and belonged to the Franciscans.[2] [3]

Up until 1852, when an earthquake demolished them, the church and monastery were still in operation. After their destruction, they left in ruins until 1978. By 2000, the church and parts of the monastery had been rebuilt into what it is now.[2]

Inside the church there are some wall paintings, which include a two headed eagle and a horse with a female rider, who is believed to be Mamica Kastrioti.[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. https://eu4culture.al/location/st-anthony-church-in-rodoni/#:~:text=History%20and%20Background-,St.,Byzantine%20Monastery%20dedicated%20to%20St. EU4Culture - St. Anthony Church, Cape of Rodon
  3. Web site: 2019-01-03 . Misteri i Kishës në Kepin e Rodonit . 2023-03-01 . Gazeta Si . sq.