St. Mary of Blachernae Church
Albanian: Kisha e Shën Mëri Vllahernës
St. Mary of Blachernae Church of Berat
LocationBerat, Berat County
 Albania
Coordinates40°42′33″N 19°56′39″E / 40.70917°N 19.94417°E / 40.70917; 19.94417
Builtthirteenth century
Designated1948[1]

The St. Mary of Blachernae Church (Albanian: Kisha e Shën Mëri Vllahernës) is a Byzantine church in Berat, Albania. It is named after the famous Church of St. Mary of Blachernae, near the Palace of Blachernae in Constantinople. It is believed that the church was built on the foundations of a ruined 5th century church that existed at the same place. The church is regarded as one of Berat's most important historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Berat and Albania.

The church dates mainly from the 13th century and contains impressive frescoes and icons on its interior walls and ground from the 16th century.[2][3] The paintings that dates from the 16th century were mostly produced by Nicholas Onufri, the son of the more famous Onufri.[4]

The church has a rectangular narthex.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Religious buildings with the "Culture Monument" status". Republic of Albania National Committee for Cult. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  2. ^ Stefanka Kokoli. "The Medieval City of Berat and Iconography in the Post-Byzantine Period: a historical overview" (PDF). saspjournals.com. p. 4.
  3. ^ "Kisha e Shën Mëri Vllahernës" (in Albanian). Retrieved 6 November 2010.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Klodjana Gjata, Marsela Demaj, Ronela Çuku. "Architecture, identity and phases of construction of the Byzantine church of St. Mary Vllaherna – Berat/Albania" (PDF). dspace.epoka.edu.al.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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