Himara Castle & Old Town
In town — 15–20 min walk uphill from the promenade
Monastère
Panagia Drymadon Monastery
Hilltop above Dhermi village, 257 m elevation
- Période
- 13th–14th century
- Depuis Himara
- ~15 km north on SH8 (20 min drive + 15 min walk)
- Entrée
- Free
- Horaires
- Generally accessible during daylight hours; the church interior may be locked outside services — ask at the village or visit on a major feast day
- Temps nécessaire
- 45 minutes – 1 hour
À propos de Panagia Drymadon Monastery
Le monastère de Panagia Drymadon (albanais : Manastiri i Shën Mërisë, grec : Παναγία Δρυμάδων) — aussi appelé monastère de Sainte-Marie — se dresse sur une colline à 257 m d'altitude au-dessus du village de Dhermi. Construit aux XIIIe–XIVe siècles, c'est un monument culturel d'Albanie et l'un des exemples les mieux préservés d'architecture religieuse d'époque byzantine sur la Riviera albanaise. Le monastère a fonctionné sans interruption pendant plus de 600 ans — à travers le déclin byzantin, la domination ottomane et l'occupation italienne — jusqu'en 1967, lorsque le régime communiste a forcé la dernière religieuse à partir.
Histoire
The basilica was founded in the 13th–14th century during the late Byzantine period. The Himariot population maintained Orthodox practice through 500 years of Ottoman rule, and Panagia Drymadon remained operational throughout. In 1781, the Archbishop of Himara and Delvina commissioned a fresco programme that still survives in the church interior — one of the best-preserved fresco cycles on the coast. The monastery functioned without interruption until 1967, when Hoxha's regime forced the closure of all religious institutions in Albania. The last nun was expelled. Restoration began in the early 1990s.
Ce que vous verrez
The 13th–14th century basilica with original Byzantine masonry; the 1781 fresco programme commissioned by the Archbishop of Himara and Delvina — one of the most complete fresco cycles on the Riviera; the surviving monastic cells around the church; panoramic views over Dhermi village below, the Ionian Sea to the west, and the coastline extending north to Llogara and south to Himara.
Photos
Comment visiter
Drive north from Himara on SH8 (~15 km, 20 min) and continue into Dhermi village. From the upper village, follow Rruga Vlladas or ask locally for directions — the monastery is signed and visible on the hillside above. A short 10–15 minute walk uphill from the upper village leads to the monastery. The path is paved but steep in places.
Meilleur moment pour visiter
Late morning for best light on the frescoes inside the church (when the doors are open). The hilltop position is exposed; afternoon visits in summer can be hot. Major Orthodox feast days (Assumption, 15 August) draw the largest local gatherings.
Pour aller plus loin : guide de visite complet
Histoire, conseils pratiques et notes d'itinéraire en version longue — l'article qui va plus loin que cette page.
À proximité
- DhermiPlage
- Saint Theodore MonasteryMonastère
- Drymades BeachPlage
Questions
How do you get to Panagia Drymadon Monastery?
Drive north from Himara on SH8 to Dhermi (~15 km, 20 min). From the upper village, follow Rruga Vlladas — the monastery is signed and visible on the hillside above. A 10–15 minute walk uphill from the upper village leads to the site. The path is paved but steep in places.
When can you go inside the church?
The hilltop and church exterior are accessible any time during daylight. The interior — including the 1781 frescoes — is generally locked outside services. Ask at the village, or plan your visit for a major Orthodox feast day (Assumption on 15 August draws the largest crowds and the church will be open).
Is Panagia Drymadon still active?
Yes — the monastery was restored after 1990 and Orthodox services resume on major feast days. It is no longer a permanent monastic community (the last nun was forced out in 1967), but it functions as an active church and pilgrimage site. Services and gatherings happen most reliably on the Assumption (15 August).
How old are the frescoes at Panagia Drymadon?
The fresco programme dates to 1781, commissioned by the Archbishop of Himara and Delvina. It is one of the best-preserved post-Byzantine fresco cycles on the Albanian Riviera. The basilica itself is older — 13th–14th century — but the surviving paintings inside are the late 18th-century commission.
Autres sites remarquables près de Himara
Continuer l'exploration
Une information manquante ou incorrecte ? Écrivez-nous à info@himara.net