The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage Gjirokastër, in cooperation with the community of the area, has started intervention in the roof of the vestibule of the “St. Nicolas” Church in the village of Saraqinisht, completing the entire phase of the restoration of the roof of this building.

The emergency intervention had started during last fall, as the restoration of part of the roof of the narthex of the “Saint Nicolas” Church was deemed necessary before the bad winter weather finally damaged it.

The church dates back to 1630 and consists of a narthex, nave and he open nave.

The nave is of the cruciform type with a dome, of internal dimensions 8.0 m x 6.8 m. The narthex is preceded on the west side by the open porch with a row of columns at the front. The hall is covered with a single-pitched roof, lower than that of the narthex.

The Church of Saint Nicolas in Saraqinisht is a Category I Cultural Monument. Ancient stone columns taken from Antigonea (ancient city in the area, now an archeological site) were also used during the construction. These can be seen in the hall, while a complete one is located in the courtyard.

/a.p./