CHURCH OF SAINT MARY (NDËRFANËS), GZIQ
The church of St. Mary, also known as the church of Nderfanes (Gziq), has a historical and cultural importance not only for the inhabitants of Mirdita, but for the history of the entire country.
Damaged and rebuilt over the years, the church is positioned on a small hill and west of the village of Gziq.
Initially, the first archaeological data were obtained in 1901 by the medievalist Theodor Ippen.
Among other data, the attention was drawn more by a single-headed eagle carved on a marble slab and which he rightly called heraldic.
It was here that the state of Arbër, or as it is known differently in historiography, the Principality of Arbër, was created for the first time. Albanian researchers and prof. Dhimitër Shuteriqi in 1966 found 19 fragments of carved stones with Latin inscriptions. From them it is learned that the area was known as Trafandinë and then pronounced Ndrefandë (today's Mirdita). From the inscription on another plate, written in Latin but very damaged, the researchers concluded that the Principality of Arbër was established in 1191 and its first ruler was Progoni.
While in the historical documents, the monastery of St. Mary toric as "S. Marie de Tre-fandena, Arbanensi diocese».
The emblem of the state of Arberi found in the church of Nderfanes, today is the emblem of the province of Mirdita.
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