Information
Landmark: Korçë CathedralCity: Korce
Country: Albania
Continent: Europe
Korçë Cathedral, Korce, Albania, Europe
Overview
The Korçë Cathedral, officially called the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Katedralja Ngjallja e Krishtit), stands as one of Albania’s most striking Orthodox landmarks, its pale stone walls catching the afternoon light.In the heart of Korçë stands a striking church, its stone walls and graceful arches reflecting the city’s deep spiritual roots and proud architectural tradition.Completed in 1995, the cathedral stands as a strikingly modern presence amid Korçë’s old-world streets, rising where the original Orthodox Cathedral once stood before it was demolished during Albania’s communist era, when faith itself was banned.It marks the revival of Orthodox Christianity and the return of religious freedom, serving as the seat of the Metropolitan of Korçë within the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.Built in the Byzantine Revival style, its red-tiled domes, arched windows, and finely carved stonework gleam in the sun, blending tradition with modern craftsmanship.A great central dome draws the eye upward, flanked by two tall bell towers that give the building its perfect balance.Inside, vivid frescoes and icons flood the walls, with an ornate iconostasis separating the nave from the sanctuary; sunlight streams through stained glass, dust motes drifting in the glow.Among the largest in Albania, it welcomes crowds for services and major Orthodox celebrations like Easter and Christmas.Beyond worship, it’s a symbol of Albania’s post-communist renewal and a beloved landmark drawing visitors for its beauty and calm.You’ll find it right in Republic Square, open to the public throughout the day.If you’d like to observe or take part in a service, check the local schedule first; inside the cathedral, wear modest clothing, keep your voice down, and honor the quiet, especially during worship.There’s no fee to enter, though a small donation helps maintain the building’s beauty.Just steps away, you can wander the National Museum of Medieval Art with its gilded Orthodox icons, browse the Old Bazaar’s cobbled lanes, visit the historic Iljaz Mirahori Mosque, or escape to the peaceful greenery of Drilon National Park.More than a place of prayer, Korçë Cathedral stands as a striking work of modern Orthodox design and a proud emblem of Albania’s spiritual and cultural renewal.Whether it’s the quiet pull of its spiritual meaning, the sweep of its stone arches, or its place in Albania’s story after communism, the cathedral greets every visitor with an experience that lingers.
