Discoveries of wall paintings in cult objects in Albania

2024-11-30 19:15:00, Kulturë CNA

New wall paintings have come to light in some cult objects in Albania during the conservation works on the monuments. Restoration specialists say that the discoveries are important for different historical periods, but also to promote cultural tourism. Many cult objects in Albania still retain the great traces of damage during the communist regime and need intervention to save them from destruction.

In the "Church of Shna Ndout" in Cape Rodoni, the restoration of some wall paintings recently brought new data. Portraits and figures of saints have come to light after the removal of plaster and lime during the conservation of works of art.

These conservations followed the restoration that was done to the church after the 2019 earthquake damage.

"The fragment discovered in the apse of the Church presents a scene where the throne of Christ and the figure of John the Baptist appear", says the specialist of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage, Gentian Vokopola.

"In the church of Cape Rodoni, several fragments of the mural painting, portraits, parts from the "Deissis Scene" in the apse, but also other fragments with plant motifs and other symbolism were discovered, such as the "Solomon's Knot" that has been identified , or some paintings of Orthodox crosses", he says.

In this church, a few years ago, a wall painting depicting the double-headed eagle, which is also the symbol of Skanderbeg's flag, was discovered. Mr. Vokopola says that this year, this entire space of mural painting has been more clearly identified.

"The eagle, which has its origins in Byzantium, was then used in the Kastriot flag by Skenderbeu. The painting is heraldic in nature, it is their emblem, painted on the sides of the apse. During the 15th century, the church was rebuilt by Skenderbeu and of course redecorated. The works in this part consisted of the continuation of the cleaning with the identification of these figures: there is an eagle, the eagle of the Kastriots, a figure of a knight and a group of migratory birds, egrets or herons", he says.

"In addition to the church of Cape Rodon, restoration interventions were recently carried out in the Monastery of Mesopotamia, in the south of Albania, and in the church of the Monastery of Rubik, in the north of the country, which brought new wall fragments", says Mr. Vokopola .

Interventions in these wall paintings are important, says the specialist of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage, also to encourage tourism.

"In the Redemption Church" in Rubik, two wall fragments have been discovered in several square meters, in the old core of the church on the south and north sides, where we have wall decorations in geometric and floral shapes," he says.

Meanwhile, the Church of Cape Rodoni is one of the most special in Albania, belonging to the XIII-XIV century, and remains one of the most visited by both local and foreign tourists.

Many cult objects were destroyed and others were severely damaged during the communist regime in Albania.

Genti Vokopola, for 27 years, has been carrying out restoration interventions on the works of art in these objects from time to time. He mentions some of the cases where new wall paintings have been identified.

"Instances of new wall paintings covered by lime and mortar in earlier periods are numerous. In the Church of the "Holy Apostles" in Hoshteve in Gjirokastër, where scenes from the Apocalypse have appeared in the narthex, in the Church of Saint Mary in Labovo te Kryqit in Gjirokastër, where murals have appeared, in the Church of Saint Kolli in Mesopotam, the last months are several murals have been discovered, in the Pazar Neck Mosque in Gjirokastër, many murals have been discovered, or in the "Belaj" apartment in Gjirokastra and in the Gjirokastra Bazaar itself".

Mr. Vokopola says that interventions in the wall paintings of cult objects should continue in Albania. According to him, new programs are planned next year.

"Interventions with funds from the American Embassy in the "Teqen e Dolma" in Kruja Castle or from the state budget in the "Church of Saint Sotir" (Kirçisht) in Peshkopia are foreseen.

The interventions in the "Church of Shna Ndout" in Cape Rodoni and in the "Church of the Rubik Monastery" were financially supported by the European Union through the United Nations Agency for the Development of Projects, UNOPS./ VOA