Saint George Monastery is referenced in historical sources as early as the 17th century. Some of these sources highlight the monastery’s generous donations for public works, such as the construction of schools. Written accounts from travelers provide information on the monastery’s condition and activities during the Ottoman period and its connection to the surrounding hinterland. A notable description comes from British archaeologist N.G.L. Hammond, who visited the monastery in 1936 as part of his studies on the area’s ancient period.

The monastery is surrounded by high stone walls, with numerous openings for defense. Inside the courtyard, besides the church, there are additional buildings, such as the abbot’s residence in the southeastern corner. This two-story building connects its levels via an external stone staircase on the western side. Opposite the abbot’s residence, in the southwestern part of the courtyard, is a long, angled, two-story building. This structure served the needs of the monastic community, containing a dining hall, monks’ cells, and rooms for pilgrims. In the northwest corner of the church, there is an underground water reservoir, filled by an original rainwater collection system from the church roof. Inside and around the monastery, remnants of other ruined structures are still visible.

As with all Orthodox monasteries, the main building is the church, or “katholikon,” dedicated to Saint George. The church consists of two parts: the main sanctuary (naos) and a narthex, a wide space added later on the western side. The perimeter walls of the church are built exclusively with stone, and the roof is covered with locally sourced stone slabs. The bell tower rises above the western wall of the narthex. This was an additional construction, made with limestone from the region using the same technique as the rest of the building.

Upon entering the church, visitors pass through the wide, simple narthex. From there, a relatively narrow, arched entrance in the eastern wall leads to the naos. The naos is an almost square space bordered on the east by the sanctuary, separated by an iconostasis wall that connects to the rest of the space through three arched doors. In the niches of the iconostasis façade, the large scene of Deisis can be found, though unfortunately heavily damaged. This scene consists of the Twelve Apostles, positioned to the left and right of the central figure of Christ, divided into two groups of six.

In the center of the naos rises the dome, showcasing intriguing architectural features. The outer drum plan of the dome is in the shape of a rounded ten-sided structure, while the interior ascends in three levels. Standing beneath the dome, one can observe two consecutive rhombuses formed by the gradual alternation of small, concave, and spherical triangles. These rhombuses have slightly concave edges on the inside, ending at the dome’s curved surface, which traditionally displays the image of Christ Pantocrator. This creates interesting surfaces for paintings of Old Testament figures, angels, six-winged seraphim, and more. Four narrow openings, positioned across from each other at the highest level, allow for ventilation and sunlight to enter, casting a cross-shaped light pattern inside.

The church’s wall paintings, where still intact, are severely damaged; despite restoration efforts, the faces and compositions of scenes are not clearly visible.

During the atheist regime, the monastery was converted into a military base for the protection of the maritime border zone and aerial defense. After a complete restoration by the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania between 2006 and 2010, the monastery was returned to its former state and is now a significant pilgrimage site.

From the hilltop where Saint George Monastery is located, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Ionian Sea and Lake Butrint, making it an ideal destination for hiking and nature walks.

Burimi: https://religiousroutes.eu/sq/destination/manastiri-i-shen-gjergjit-deme/