The Church of St. Mary in Labova (or Labove) village, in Gjirokastra county, is one of the oldest Churches in Albania and one of the most famous cultural and historical monuments in the region.
According to the tradition, it was built in 554 in the time of Emperor Justinian, who dedicated to it a piece of the Cross of Christ.
However, today’s structure of the church, as it emerges from the style of the dome and the main Church –according to experts in history and architecture– dates back to X-XI century.
History teacher Mirela Mucho notes that “This church survives the Middle Ages” and she characterizes it as “a part of the culture of Albania”.
It seems that there are later additions of the narthex, the bell tower and the ledge. The Church is a typical byzantine building with a high central cupola and a nave and aisles arranged in a cruciform plan. A later narthex provides the principal entrance.
Furthermore, there are nine distinct levels of fresco painting on the interior walls.