St. Peter’s Monastery in Vithkuq/ History, legends, and cultural heritage

St. Peter’s Monastery stands on a hill northeast of the village of Vithkuq, in an area where traces of history are present at every step. It was built over the ruins of an ancient temple, where remnants of a fortress are still preserved.

Foundation and construction over the centuries

According to a codex from 1739, donated by Metropolitan Krisanth of Kostur, the monastery’s construction began in 1709 and was completed in 1710. Its founder was Archon Thanas Rimara, who contributed 7,550 grosh. The consecration was performed with a panegyric ceremony by Metropolitan Dionysius of Kostur, together with Metropolitan Joasaph of Prespa.

The monastery expanded in several phases:

• 1736 – Construction of the chapel of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian.

• 1759–1764 – Construction of St. Peter’s Church by master builder Gjikë Lena and a group of renowned craftsmen.

  
  

A memorable legend

According to a well-known local legend, during the church’s construction, the wife of the master builder (ustabashi) was walled into its foundations — a dramatic motif immortalized by the writer Viktor Eftimiu in the play “Ustabash Gjikë Thana-Lena Vithkuqari,” translated into Albanian by Ilo Mitkë Qafëzezi.

Architecture and monastery layout

The main entrance was on the western side — a large wooden door with a cylindrical arch and worked stone. The complex had an inner courtyard of about 200 square meters, surrounded on three sides by three-story konaks (residences), built from stone and decorated with rich architectural elements.

On the first floor was a colonnaded porch where merchants stayed during fairs.

About 40 cells were arranged in a “U” shape.

The second floor included the rooms of the bishop and the pope Sevos, a water storage hall, and the dining hall with the bread oven.

The third floor, built in 1908 by emigrants from Vithkuq in the USA, housed the room of the trustees and a divan enclosed with stained glass.

Functional rooms and preservation of provisions

Some rooms had special functions:

• An arched door opposite the church led to the barns.

• The room near the well served as a storage space.

• Another room with an arched ceiling was used for storing provisions, built in 1924 during the leadership of Father Zahari.

  
  

The monastery library – a precious treasure

On the second floor, above the church’s dome, was the library. It held rare manuscripts of great historical value for Vithkuq, Korçë, and Voskopojë. Among the most notable were:

• “Logical Treatise” by Teodor Kavalioti (1743)

• The works of Joan Gojarti in 12 volumes (printed in Venice, 1734)

• Writings by Dionysius the Areopagite and Meletius of Athens

• Catechisms of Cyril of Alexandria (Leipzig, 1758)

• Books printed at the Voskopojë Printing House (1744)

  
  

The end of the konaks and the legacy that remains

During World War II, the konaks of the monastery were destroyed, while St. Peter’s Church remains the only structure still standing. Today, it stands as a rare historical, architectural, and spiritual testament for Vithkuq and beyond.

“KORÇA BOOM”