Archaeological & Religious Sites Gjirokaster

The Saint Nicholas church in Këllëz

From Dhoksat there are two branching roads that lead to Këllëz and Qestorat. Këllëz is a small picturesque village with interesting houses and springs. In the upper part of the village, after a short walk you can reach the Saint Nicholas church, a single-nave type church with a narthex. The church has been maintained by the locals and has a simple but graceful architecture. Its interior preserves important pieces of wall paintings by Vasil and Joan of Qestorat, dating from the end of 18th century. Inside the church, a Hellenistic period stele (tombstone), which has been reused, is preserved. The paintings on the surface of the stele are still visible and indicate that it was used inside the church, perhaps as part of the iconostasis. Near the church lie many antique stone blocks that bear witness to the existence of an early settlement.