Labova e Kryqit
Labova e Kryqit is a small place in the south of Albania . The village belongs to the Libohova municipality . It is located in the Shëndëll- Lunxhëria -Buretoja Mountains east of the Dropull plain, through which the Drino flows, and south of Gjirokastra .
Today Labova has hardly more than 300 permanent residents (estimate: 2006). Most of the young residents have moved to Albanian cities or abroad in search of work. The remaining residents live partly from poorly productive agriculture in the barren mountain region, partly from remittances from relatives who have emigrated, or they commute to work in the district town of Gjirokastra. The place has always been populated by Orthodox Albanians. There are hardly any residents of other languages or beliefs, although the surrounding area is more Muslim and the regional minority of Orthodox speaks mostly Greek.
One of the oldest Orthodox churches in Albania is located in Labova. According to tradition, the church consecrated to Our Lady was founded in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian , who furnished it with a relic of the Holy Cross, making it an important place of pilgrimage. The oldest structure that can be visited today, however, dates from the 10th century.
Personalities
- Vangjel Meksi (1863–1923), doctor and Bible translator
- Photo Çami (1925–?), Politician
literature
- Guntram Koch : The Marienkirche in Labova e Kryqit , in: Studia Albanica 25, 1988, pp. 151-181.
Web links
- UNESCO: Le patrimoine culturel dans le Sud-Est européen: Albania. Report de mission 26 avril - 7 may 2004 , pp. 76-77. (PDF; 3.7 MB)
Coordinates: 40 ° 4 ′ N , 20 ° 17 ′ E