On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the Museum Center of Berat showcased one of its archaeological artifacts, a marble reliquary dating back to the 6th century.

The reliquary was displayed at the Iconographic Museum “Onufri” following a thorough cleaning and conservation process.

This rare object from the Paleochristian period was first mentioned in a study by Austrian historian Bushbek in 1918, which identified it within the Church of the Annunciation (Evangjelizmoit). However, in 1990, German scholar Guntram Koch published a detailed study in the journal Monumentet 1990 (No. 40).

The symbols, figures, and small dimensions suggest its use as a relic holder for saints. Similar examples can be found in the distant regions of the former Byzantine Empire, indicating that the marble was imported from an unknown location but crafted by local artisans. This corresponds to the second period of prosperity for Berat (Pulheriopolis) in the latter half of the 6th century.

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