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Ardenica Monastery, Ardenice

4.4
#3 of 6 in Things to do in Fier County
Must see · Church · Hidden Gem · Tourist Spot
The Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Ardenica (Albanian: Manastiri Lindja e Hyjlindëses Mari, Greek: Ιερά Μονή Γεννήσεως Θεοτόκου Αρδευούσης)) or simply Ardenica Monastery (Albanian: Manastiri i Ardenices, Greek: Μονή Αρδενίτσας) is an Eastern Orthodox monastery, located 18 kilometers south of Lushnjë, Albania, along the national road that links Lushnjë to Fier.
Built by Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 after the victory against the Angevins in the siege of Berat, the monastery is famous as the place where, in 1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, with Andronika Arianiti. In 1780 the Monastery started a theological school to prepare clerics in Greek Orthodoxy. It had an important library with 32,000 volumes that got completely burned by a fire in 1932. The Church of Saint Mary within the monastery contains frescos from brothers Kostandin and Athanas Zografi, notably one of saint John Kukuzelis, born in Durrës, Albania.

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Tours to Ardenica Monastery

FROM $968 BOOK WITH VIATOR Albanian Highlights - 6 day around Albania
Duration: 6 days
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FROM $2,322 BOOK WITH VIATOR Europe Explorer Grand Tour "Ionian Route"
Duration: 11 days
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FROM $96 BOOK WITH VIATOR Apollonia and Ardenica Monastery - full day tour
Duration: 8 hours
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Ardenica Monastery reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
40 reviews
Google
4.4
TripAdvisor
  • By Megis123
    I loved so much visiting this place. An amazing getaway to discover culture and nature and have fun with friends and family.  more »
  • By nina092014
    If you are coming from Tirana to south Albania, this monastery is near Lushnje. It is on the top of the hill and the road is good. There is an old monastery just in the middle of the trees where you.....  more »
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Google
  • By Tanislava Gorska
    Working monastery, two monks living there and taking care of the place. Beautifully maintained blooming garden, neat yard. Old wall frescoes can be seen, and on the second floor there is a big piece of wall painting representing The Last Supper and it is very detailed and interesting.
  • By Marcin Knapiński
    Interesting place in central part of Albany where live 3 monach in greek catholic orthodox monastery. If you have got a free time visit this place.
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