Voskopoja – Churches, Art and Mountain Scenery

Voskopoja lies in a mountainous region at an elevation of about 1,200 metres above sea level. The townscape and history are shaped by churches, works of art, mountain scenery and local craft traditions. This means different themes can take centre stage on your trip: sacred architecture and wall paintings, as well as walks in nature and outdoor activities.

Churches, Architecture and Local History

The churches of Voskopoja form a complex of seven buildings from the Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods. In past centuries, the town was an important cultural and intellectual centre. Its churches are known for their frescoes and icons, which testify to the skill of Albanian artists of the time.

The Saint John the Baptist Monastery is an architectural monument dating from the 17th century. The three-aisled Byzantine-style church reflects Voskopoja’s cultural and economic prosperity. It preserves wall paintings by the monk Andon of Shipcka. The wall paintings in Nicholas Church are by David Selenica and his assistants Kostandin and Kristo.

The Saint Athanasius Basilica and Saint Mary’s Church also preserve different examples of sacred art. The wall paintings in the Saint Athanasius Basilica, created by Kostandin and Athanas Zografi, were completed in 1745. Saint Mary’s Church preserves wall paintings and icons, as well as a carved wooden iconostasis. Its decoration was completed in 1712. The numerous surviving wall paintings in Saint Michael Church display characteristics of 18th-century art.

Stone houses and cobbled streets, which reflect the region’s past, also contribute to its historic character. Together with the churches, they give the town an architectural profile that differs from the mountain scenery and defines Voskopoja beyond its sacred buildings.

Mountain Scenery and Outdoor Activities

Voskopoja offers its own opportunities for walks in nature and experiencing the mountain scenery. The pine forest is a distinctive natural attraction in the area; its mountainous terrain offers opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities. The town’s approximate elevation of 1,200 metres places it in a mountainous region.

This offers a choice between two different sides of the destination: the churches represent architecture, frescoes and icons, while the forest and mountainous terrain define its connection with nature and outdoor activities. You can choose which side will shape your trip more, depending on your interest in local history or scenery.

Crafts and Local Cuisine

Local handicrafts include, in particular, woodwork and the weaving of woollen clothing. These traditions complement the ecclesiastical heritage with a different perspective on the town’s culture: the focus here is on craft materials and techniques, rather than the architectural and painting history of the churches.

Traditional cuisine is also part of the local character. Dishes and drinks associated with Voskopoja include lakror baked in a saç, spit-roasted lamb and plum rakia, as well as petulla të fshira, petka, petanik and kulaç. These dishes and the drink provide another aspect, alongside art and scenery, that characterises Voskopoja as a destination.

Planning Your Trip

Voskopoja lies about 20 kilometres west of Korça. When choosing a hotel for your trip to Voskopoja, the town’s different attractions can help guide you: its churches and works of art, nature in the mountain scenery, or local craft and culinary traditions. This can help you decide which aspects of the destination matter most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Korça.

See the wider travel guide: Korça District.