Archaeological & Religious Sites Gjirokaster
Spile Monastery in Gjirokastra
Saraqinisht, Gjirokaster
The monastery of Spile is located 2 km far from Antigonea Archaeological Park in the village Saraqinisht, on the slope of Lungeria Mountain. It has been damaged during the years, but from the old complex resisted only two churches.
The Church of St Mary, which is 400 years old, built in XVI century (1635). The church is totally decorated with mural alfresco and biblical motifs. The other church is Shen Kolli, which is places in a cave in the slope of the mountain 30 m high from the ground. This cave according to the legend has served as a place of sacrifice for the Eremites. It is called differently the Cave of Eremites. The road to the Monastery is very difficult, you can go only by 4 x 4. Then you have to walk until reaching the destination. To go there, take the road from Gjirokastra to Asim Zenel, Saraqinisht and then to the Monastery place.