Information
Landmark: Monastery of Forty SaintsCity: Sarande
Country: Albania
Continent: Europe
Monastery of Forty Saints, Sarande, Albania, Europe
Overview
Perched on a hill above Saranda in southern Albania, the Monastery of Forty Saints (Albanian: Manastiri i Shënjtërit 40), or Monastery of the Forty Martyrs, stands as an ancient place of worship.This site stands as one of the region’s most important historical and cultural landmarks, celebrated for its sweeping mountain views, deep religious roots, and strong ties to Albanian Orthodox Christianity.Perched high on a hill above Saranda, the Monastery of Forty Saints looks out over the deep blue Ionian Sea, with Corfu’s green coastline visible on the horizon.Visitors and pilgrims alike find a quiet calm here, broken only by the rustle of wind through cypress trees.The Monastery of Forty Saints sits about 4 km from Saranda’s center, easy to reach by car or with a short hike up the hill.The site blends history, spirituality, and natural beauty.The Monastery of Forty Saints takes its name from the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste-Shenjtorët e Sebastes in Albanian-a band of Christian soldiers who, in the early 4th century, faced death for their faith.Christian tradition tells of forty Roman soldiers who refused to abandon their faith and were drowned for it, their story echoing through time like footsteps in water.The monastery, built in the 6th century during the Byzantine era, later became a vital center of Orthodox Christianity in the region.Dedicated to the Forty Martyrs, this monastery has drawn pilgrims for centuries, its stone steps worn smooth by countless feet.It shaped the region’s religious and cultural life, enduring Ottoman rule, invasions, and other trials.Built in the Byzantine style, it boasts arched doorways, thick stone walls, and faded frescoes that once brightened the church’s interior.Much of the building has crumbled over the centuries, leaving weathered stones and broken arches, yet large portions of the monastery still stand, including the shell of the main church and its surrounding halls.Its architecture blends Byzantine grace with Albanian Orthodox tradition, favoring simple lines and a quiet sense of spiritual balance.Perched high on a hill, the site was chosen for its breathtaking views and its symbolic link to the heavens.The monastery’s main church, now mostly in ruins, still holds fragments of mosaic floors and faded frescoes that once told vivid religious stories.These artworks are priceless to historians and art lovers alike, offering a window into the region’s religious life during the Byzantine era.Around the main church, you can still see the crumbling outlines of other buildings-monks’ narrow stone cells, a quiet courtyard, and shadowy storage rooms.These crumbling stones whisper of a bustling monastic life that once filled the air with prayer.The monastery honors the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, a story woven deep into Christian tradition and enriched by local legend.The story says forty soldiers served in a Roman legion based in Sebaste, now the bustling city of Sivas in Turkey.Ordered to offer incense to the Roman gods, they stood firm and said they followed Christ alone.safesafeOne of them couldn’t take the biting cold and ran off, but the choice gnawed at him later.Legend has it, he went back to the spot to die alongside the others, standing with them in their final moments.safeThe forty martyrs came to embody unshakable faith and courage, their tale sparking the building of countless churches and monasteries in their honor, among them the hillside Monastery of Forty Saints in Saranda.When you visit the Monastery of Forty Saints, one of the real highlights is stepping outside to take in the sweeping view-Saranda’s white buildings below, the deep blue of the Ionian Sea, and Corfu resting on the horizon.Visitors can soak in the quiet beauty of the hills, the scent of pine drifting on the breeze, while reflecting on the site’s deep spiritual past.The monastery still draws Orthodox pilgrims, especially from Albania and Greece.The monastery stands as a symbol of faith, resilience, and the region’s deep Christian roots.Though it no longer hosts daily worship, its spiritual weight lingers-especially on March 9, when the Orthodox feast of the Forty Martyrs fills the air with incense and song.Visitors can wander through its weathered stone church, quiet courtyard, and the crumbling walls that still hold the memory of centuries past.The site offers a captivating glimpse into the period’s architectural style and how early Christian monasteries took shape, with weathered fresco fragments and intricate mosaic floors among its most prized treasures, each revealing the artistry and sacred imagery of the Byzantine era.To get there, you’ll need to drive or make a short, steady climb up the hill, where the stone walls come into view beneath the midday sun.The climb isn’t too steep, but it pays off with wide, breathtaking views-Saranda’s white buildings, the shimmer of the sea, and green hills rolling into the distance.Visit in spring or fall, when the air is crisp and the trails invite you to linger.Summer days can get scorching, so it’s best to explore in the cool hush of early morning or as the light softens in late afternoon.The Monastery of Forty Saints offers a captivating mix of sacred history, graceful Byzantine arches, and views that sweep over the rugged coastline.Whether you come for the sacred history, the ancient stone carvings, or the sweeping mountain views, the monastery wraps you in a quiet, contemplative calm.Steeped in history and tied to the legend of the Forty Martyrs, it draws travelers eager to explore the stone streets and vibrant traditions at the heart of southern Albania.
