Brunilda Bregu (University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté/Tirana Archaeological Institute/Eveha) has been conducting a research project on the church of Shëmri (northern Albania) since 2016.
Direction
Brunilda Bregu (University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté/Tirana Archaeological Institute/Éveha)
How Eveha International Participates
Building archaeology
Topography
Localisation
Albania
Location and Historical Summary
The village of Shëmri is located 6.3 kilometers east of the town of Mamurras, 34 kilometers north of Lezha, and 9 kilometers from Kruja. The latter is the seat of the diocese of the same name, which includes the Church of Saint Mary. The church stands on the western slopes of the mountain south of Shëmri, at an elevation of 320 meters above sea level. Cypress trees currently cover the area around the church, which is abandoned and partially destroyed. Its walls are preserved to a height of one meter in the western section and up to the level of the former roofline in the eastern section.
Research History
A first study of the church was published by Th. Ippen in 1907, before being revisited by the researcher A. Meksi in the 1960s. In Albania, archaeological studies of religious monuments have primarily consisted of observations prior to restoration work. The Church of Saint Mary was restored in 2002 by the Institute of Monuments in Tirana. During these works, extensive clearing and several archaeological soundings were carried out.
The current church features a three-aisled plan with three apses. It measures 23 meters in length and 14.40 meters in width. In 2016, a campaign of photogrammetric surveys and building analysis (analysis of the standing structures) was conducted. This approach served as the basis for initial research into the church’s evolution. Subsequently, three excavation campaigns were undertaken between 2017 and 2019.
