St. Mary's Monastery, Zvërnec
13th-14th century church in Albania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The St. Mary’s Monastery is an Orthodox monastery located on the Zvërnec Island, in the Narta Lagoon near the village of Zvërnec within the municipality of Vlora. It houses a church dedicated to the Dormition of Mary Theotókos.
Albania| St. Mary's Monastery Albanian: Manastiri i Shën Mërisë Albanian: Manastiri i Fjetjes së Hyjëlindëses Mari | |
|---|---|
Zvërnec Monastery | |
 | |
| Location | Zvërnec Island, Vlorë County Albania |
| Coordinates | 40°31′02″N 19°24′9″E |
| Built | 13th or 14th century |
| Designated | 1963[1] |
History
When St. Mary’s Monastery was founded—most likely between the 11th and 14th centuries—it did so in a landscape where the present-day village of Zvërnec did not yet exist. At that time, both the island and the adjacent mainland were under the ecclesiastical and administrative jurisdiction of the nearby village of Nartë. The modern settlement of Zvërnec emerged only in later centuries along the shore of the lagoon, and it was only thereafter that the monastery became associated with this newer village by proximity.
Much of the complex most likely dates back to the 19th century.[2]
The complex has been protected as a cultural monument since 1963.[3]
