Labovë e Kryqit hides one of Albania's most remarkable churches in a quiet mountain village above the Drino valley. The Church of the Holy Cross (Kisha e Shën Mërisë / "e Kryqit") is one of the oldest Byzantine churches in the country, traditionally linked to Emperor Justinian and famed for once holding a fragment of the True Cross — the relic that gives the village its name ("Kryqit" = "of the Cross"). It's a detour for travelers who want their southern Albania trip to reach past the beaches and the obvious ruins into something genuinely sacred and old. Pair it with Libohovë and you have one of the south's finest off-the-trail half-days.
The History
The church's origins are traditionally tied to the 6th-century reign of Justinian (r. 527–565), which would place it among the oldest surviving churches in Albania. It's a domed, cross-in-square Byzantine structure with characteristic stone-and-brick patterning, and over the centuries it became a major pilgrimage site — believed to have housed a fragment of the True Cross, brought (by tradition) from Constantinople. Whatever the exact dates, the building is an authentic, atmospheric piece of early Christian Albania, set against a dramatic mountain backdrop.
What to See
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| The church exterior | Domed Byzantine form, stone-and-brick patterning |
| The setting | A mountain village above the Drino valley |
| The history | Justinian-era origins; True Cross relic tradition |
| Nearby | Pairs with Libohovë castle & the Melan tekke |
The interior may be locked outside services — much of the reward is the building itself and its setting. Like many of southern Albania's sacred sites, it rewards a quiet, unhurried visit; this is a place for atmosphere, not crowds.
How to Visit
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| From Libohovë | Short drive or hike |
| From Gjirokastër | ~30–40 min by car |
| From Saranda | ~1.5 hr via the Drino valley |
| Pair with | Libohovë, the Melan tekke |
A car is the practical way in. Labovë e Kryqit is most naturally visited together with Libohovë — the castle, the great plane tree, and the church make one rich Drino-valley half-day — and from a Gjirokastër base. It fits the Inland South Albania Road Trip for travelers chasing the region's quieter heritage.
FAQ
Why is Labovë e Kryqit church famous?
It's considered one of the oldest Byzantine churches in Albania, traditionally linked to Emperor Justinian (6th century), and famous for reputedly once holding a fragment of the True Cross — which gives the village its name ("e Kryqit" means "of the Cross"). It was an important pilgrimage site.
How do you visit Labovë e Kryqit?
By car, as a detour from Libohovë (a short drive or hike) or from Gjirokastër (about 30–40 minutes). The interior may be locked outside services, so the visit centres on the building and its mountain setting. Combine it with Libohovë castle and the Melan tekke.
Is Labovë e Kryqit worth the detour?
For travelers interested in Byzantine history and quiet sacred sites, yes — it's one of Albania's oldest churches in a dramatic mountain setting, almost never crowded. It's best as part of a Libohovë and Drino-valley day rather than a standalone trip.
Bottom Line
Labovë e Kryqit is a deep-heritage detour — one of Albania's oldest Byzantine churches, wrapped in Justinian and True-Cross tradition, in a quiet mountain village above the Drino. Pair it with Libohovë and the Melan tekke from a Gjirokastër base, go for the atmosphere and the history, and add a genuinely ancient, sacred layer to your southern Albania trip.
