St. Mary’s Cave Church | |
Native Name: | Albanian: Shpella e Maligradit |
Religious Affiliation: | Eastern Orthodox Christianity |
Coordinates: | 40.7920°N 20.9317°E |
Location: | Maligrad, lake Prespa |
Country: | Albania |
Architecture Style: | Serbian Orthodox Art |
Founded By: | Kesar Novak |
Year Completed: | 1369 |
The St. Mary's Church or Virgin Mary's Church is an Eastern Orthodox cave church on the island of Maligrad, in the Albanian part of Lake Prespa. It is a Cultural Monument of Albania.[1] The church is dedicated to Saint Mary and was built by Serbian nobleman Kesar Novak (alb. Qesar Novaku[2]), in the year 1369.[3]
The church has frescoes and Greek inscriptions dated to 1369. Frescoes exist of the family of Kesar Novak, with his Greek wife Kalia.[4] [5]