Church of Shen Thanas, Korçë

The Church of ShenThanas in Korça holds a rich history intertwined with significant events of its time. Situated atop a hill adorned with ancient oaks, it serves as a testament to the region's cultural and religious heritage.

Dating back before the Ottoman era, the church's location boasts archaeological treasures, including 6th-century baths and mosaic fragments. Despite prohibitions on new church constructions during Ottoman rule, records indicate Saint Thanas Church's importance to the community.

Reconstructed in 1850 with assistance from the ryfet of Saint Thanas and Korça residents, the church underwent further rebuilding in the mid-19th century and faced demolition during Albania's atheist period. However, with the resurgence of faith in 1991, efforts to reconstruct the church began.

Completed in 1994, the renovated church now features a basilica structure with three naves, an exonarthex, and a south-side portico. The restoration of its bell tower reinstates a significant element of Korça's cultural landscape. Today, Saint Thanas Church remains a significant site for both worshippers and tourists interested in the region's cultural and religious heritage.