Monastery of Saint Mary Spile, Gjirokastë

The Church of the Monastery of Saint Mary, Spilese is located above Saraqinisht, about 20 km from Gjirokastra. The inscription on the main gate of the church (naos) indicates that this cult object dates back to 1634. The church of the monastery of Saint Mary in Spile is a monument of cultural heritage, type "Architecture", approved in June 1973.

The nave is carved in the shape of a cross with a dome with internal dimensions of 7.40 x 6.20 m. It was painted by the painter Mihali at the time of Bishop Kallist. On the western side, the gate (naos) is connected to the narthex, which is covered by a longitudinal vault in the central part, raised above two transverse vaults in the side parts. The entrance from the south is protected by a portico open on three sides with arches forming a square core covered with a dome.

The monastery rises on a limestone rock because of the karst caves. Hermits lived there, people who remained isolated from the world, who tried to suffer their sinful being, as an act of atonement before God.

The religious building is located next to a mountainside, the masters designed it so that the church would provide good lighting. The church is plastered from the outside with the eight-sided drum containing four windows. The church, apart from the cultivation of religious faith by believers, remains to be visited for the extraordinary artistic and cultural values that it carries.