The National Institute of Cultural Heritage held a joint meeting at the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Mesopotam. Participants included experts from Vlora’s Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage, the European Centre for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments in Thessaloniki, and the Greek Ministry of Culture.

The meeting took place as part of the cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports and the European Centre for Byzantine Monuments. The pilot project focuses on restoring mural paintings and decorative elements in the Byzantine Church of St. Nicholas.

During the discussions, experts addressed new issues that appeared during the project’s implementation. They also defined the next steps for preserving this unique cultural site.

The Monastery of Mesopotam rises east of Finiq. It is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Albania. The church stands near the ruins of the ancient city of Finiq, on a scenic hill between the rivers Bistrica and Kalasa.

According to tradition, a pagan temple once stood there. Later, the Church of St. Nicholas was built on its remains. Scholars believe it dates to the reign of Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos.

Today, the monastery preserves parts of its surrounding walls. They cover an area of about 100 meters and are reinforced by seven rectangular towers. Interestingly, these walls are older than the existing church.

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