The Church of Prophet Elijah stands in Stegopull, Gjirokastër.Authorities declared it a Category I Cultural Monument in June 1973. It is a small Orthodox church built in 1624.

The wall paintings add to its historical value. Kostandin, son of Mihal from Linotopi, painted them with his student Nikolla. The inner door inscription confirms their authorship.

Importantly, this church is among the best-preserved in the region. Locals and the Regional Directorate of National Culture (DRTK) Gjirokastër protect and maintain it with great care.

The church consists of two parts: the naos  and the narthex. The naos has a cross-shaped plan and a tall dome. Its inner size is 6.60 by 3.60 meters. The arms of the cross are uneven due to the elongated shape. In the center, the dome rises on a high drum.

Meanwhile, the narthex connects to the naos on the west. It features a long barrel vault. A western doorway, covered by a flat architrave, leads inside. Above it, a niche preserves the dates  1777 and  1889. The first marks the construction of the narthex. The second may signal a later restoration.

Recently, DRTK Gjirokastër repaired the perimeter walls and cleared the overgrown vegetation around the church.

Today, the Church of Prophet Elijah remains a treasured part of southern Albania’s cultural and religious heritage.

/a.c/