Monastery Church of Rubik

 

 

Monastery Church of Rubik,

The Monastery Church of Rubik or as it is otherwise known by the name Rubik's Church is one of the symbols  of Christianity in Albania and an identity value of our history.

The medieval Benedictine monastery is located in a favorable location, on a visible plot rocky of a natural bend of the river Fan, above the city of Rubik.

Above all, the monastery possessed the ability to control from a dominant position the water and terrestrial routes. The water route, using the Fan river for connecting the coast with Arbanon to the heights of Orosh and the terrestrial route that is mentioned like l'Itinerarium Lissus-Naissus.

Historiography has recognized the Monastery Church of Rubik as and the parish church with the same name. Once a Franciscan church, in the city of Rubik and in the district of Lezha historically part of this diocese, today is included in the newest bishopric that of Rreshen.

The Monastery Church of Rubik since 1166 until  1972, it is mentioned 34 times in different publications.

 

 

 

The present Monastery Church of Rubik is representing several radical phases of reconstruction and restoration. From the end of the 19th century to nowadays the  interventions have completely changed the original appearance of the building. On the other hand, these transformations allow the distinction of certain elements that have survived the medieval times and are integrated into the new building.

The survived frescoes unfold only in the interior part, in the eastern side and dates back to year 1272 with an inscription. But before that year event, others had determined the history of the building.

The bishop of Lezha Benedetto Orsini quoted for an inscription on the church gate on 1267, in his report for the Holy Visit he made in 1629.

An earlier restoration phase of the complex is dedicated to the frescoes, documented by the text epigraph painted in the apsidal area on the right. This is represented in Deesis where the inscription presents him as “Abbot Innocenti bringing 1272”.

 

 

The Monastery Church of Rubik, is declared a Cultural Monument on 23.09.1971, and has been restored through the Program EU4Culture, funded by the EU and implemented by UNOPS in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture.