Few visitors expect to find it: a small stone church standing alone among the olive trees and reeds near the Orikum lagoon, at the foot of the Karaburun Peninsula. Marmiro is one of the oldest surviving churches in the Vlora region, and its quiet setting is a big part of its charm.
History
The church is believed to date from the 12th–13th centuries (some researchers suggest even earlier) and is first mentioned in records in 1307. It is a typical late Byzantine church with a central dome over a cross-shaped interior, built of cut limestone and brick, and fragments of its wall paintings survive. It is thought to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is protected as a Cultural Monument of Albania.
Visiting
Marmiro lies a few kilometres from the Orikum Archaeological Park, reached by a dirt road — the two make a good half-day together, ideally in the soft light of late afternoon. The interior is not always open, but the setting and the exterior are worth the detour on their own.
Shqip
Kisha e Marmiroit ndodhet pranë lagunës së Orikumit, në rrëzë të Karaburunit. Ndërtuar rreth shekujve XII–XIII në stilin bizantin, me kube qendrore dhe plan në formë kryqi, ajo është Monument Kulture. Vizitohet lehtë së bashku me Parkun Arkeologjik të Orikumit.
