Shkodër Cathedral
Encyclopedia
Shkodër Cathedral also known as St Stephen's Catholic Cathedral or Kisha e Madhe (the Great Church) is a cathedral in the city of Shkodër
in northwestern Albania
. The Roman Catholic cathedral is dedicated to Saint Stephen
.
During the Siege of Scutari (1912–1913) the cathedral was damaged by the Montenegrin army, particularly the south east side, causing fire in the bell tower. The Cathedral was closed in 1967 and reopened in 1990.
, the first patron saint
of the city is dedicated to a preexisting church with that name, now buried in the Rozafa Castle, and on whose remains a mosque was built. Marin Barleti
, a notable 16th century Albanian
writer mentions the former church and the saint patron of the city in his Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi Epirotarum principis (The story of life and deeds of Skanderbeg
, the prince of Epirotes), when he describes the Siege of Shkodra which lasted from 1478 to 25 April 1479 and saw the League of Lezhe
helplessly protect the castle from the Ottoman Empire
army, until the castle eventually fell in Turkish hands.
During the first three centuries of the Ottoman
occupation, the bishops of the city were constrained to live outside the city. In 1762, 5 years after the formation Pashalik of Scutari, the first Albanian Pashalik under the Bushati
family, Monsignor Pal Pjeter Kamsi was eventually allowed again to reside in the city.
In 1851, after the faithful had continuously applied for the permission from the Sultan for the building of the church, Abdülmecid I
issued the decree.
The dome, firstly built in wood, almost fell off 35 years after the construction, so in 1897 it was replaced by other materials, which are the ones that exist even today. In 1909, Albanian painter Kolë Idromeno
, coffer
ed the vault
. His paintings in the vault can still be seen today, especially that of Lady of Shkodër, followed by two angels, who are dressed in Shkodër folk costumes. In the background is the city of Shkodër, surrounded by the Rozafa castle.
An earthquake in 1905 and the bombing of 12 March 1913 during the Siege of Scutari damaged the bell tower and the clock, which had been given by the Kakarriqi brothers. In 1925, the Kakarriqi family purchased another clock which has worked till 1967, when the church was transformed into a Palace of Sports following the Cultural Revolution. Ironically even the Congress of the Communist Women of Albania was held in the Cathedral in 1973.
The towers were destroyed in 1967 and the portal was boarded up.
In 1990 the Cathedral was reopened and on November 11, 1990 the first mass in the country since 1967 was held in the cathedral. A symbolic mass was held in the cathedral on March 21, 1991. In 1993 it was visited by Pope John Paul II
.
, who put it into his little finger and threw it. After his throwing the counsul of United Kingdom
threw it much further, the consul of France
even further, and the consuls of Russia
, Greece
, and even the Austro-Hungarian Empire went much further than that of the Wāli. This one, smiling under his moustache, is said to have murmured: "You probably want to put here all the Catholics of Albania".
at that time, and many local and diplomatic personalities participated at the inauguration of the construction work. Besides giving his permission for the building through a decree, Sultan Abdülmecid I
had also sent 700 Turkish lira
s, whereas Pope Pius IX
had provided 1,000 golden scudi
. The first phase of construction finished in 1867, 9 years later.
The cathedral was 74 meters long, 50 meters wide and 23.5 meters tall. Initially the main hall had a 6,000 people capacity (with people standing up).
There was a marathon of collection of monies at that time: besides the contribution, which included even proceeds from sold jewelries, each catholic family gave a worker to contribute to the construction for a period of at least 6 months. Gurash Shënkolli, a Shkodër citizen, is said to have been in Vienna
during the time marriage of Franz Joseph I of Austria
, and to have managed to enter in the Emperor's office. Gurash asked the Emperor financial aid for the construction of the church. Not only was Gurash given 150 napoleons
, but he was also congratulated by the Austrian Emperor for his typically Albanian audacity in asking that way and to an Emperor for that type of money.
During the construction, the big arch fell twice on the ground, and the fix was made through the help of an Austrian
engineer, whose name is unknown to us today. As the construction work was ending, a bell tower
was still missing. Archbishop Guerini gathered the representatives of the wealthiest catholic families. It was decided that three categories, depending on the level of wealth would provide each 20, 15 and 10 napoleon gold. This resulted in a dispute because many people didn't want to be ranked in lower wealth categories. At that point, Gjon Nushi, one of the wealthiest people of the community openly proposes to Filip Parruca, another wealthy man: "Let's finish the bell tower together, and on its wall we'll have a commemorative stone to remind posterity that it was our money to build it". This discussion was enough for the community to accept the bishop's proposal. Filip Parruca, Mark Pema and Pjetër Pema purchased in Venice
the bell, and had it put on the tower.
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
in northwestern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. The Roman Catholic cathedral is dedicated to Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen The Protomartyr , the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches....
.
During the Siege of Scutari (1912–1913) the cathedral was damaged by the Montenegrin army, particularly the south east side, causing fire in the bell tower. The Cathedral was closed in 1967 and reopened in 1990.
History
The dedication of this church to Saint StephenSaint Stephen
Saint Stephen The Protomartyr , the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches....
, the first patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the city is dedicated to a preexisting church with that name, now buried in the Rozafa Castle, and on whose remains a mosque was built. Marin Barleti
Marin Barleti
Marin Barleti . was an Albanian historian and Catholic priest. He is considered the first Albanian historian, especially because of his biography on Skanderbeg, translated in many languages in the 16th to the 18th centuries.-Life:Barleti lived in Shkodër and was a scholar and a clergyman...
, a notable 16th century Albanian
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
writer mentions the former church and the saint patron of the city in his Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi Epirotarum principis (The story of life and deeds of Skanderbeg
Skanderbeg
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg or Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu , widely known as Skanderbeg , was a 15th-century Albanian lord. He was appointed as the governor of the Sanjak of Dibra by the Ottomans in 1440...
, the prince of Epirotes), when he describes the Siege of Shkodra which lasted from 1478 to 25 April 1479 and saw the League of Lezhe
League of Lezhë
The League of Lezhë was an alliance of Albanian Principalities forged in Lezhë on the 2nd of March 1444. It was initiated and organised by Skanderbeg with the aim of uniting the Albanian principalities that had been founded in the 12th - 14th centuries, to fight the Ottoman Armies...
helplessly protect the castle from the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
army, until the castle eventually fell in Turkish hands.
During the first three centuries of the Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
occupation, the bishops of the city were constrained to live outside the city. In 1762, 5 years after the formation Pashalik of Scutari, the first Albanian Pashalik under the Bushati
Bushati
The Bushati family was a prominent family in Albanian history for part of the Ottoman rule of the region. The family ruled the Pashalik of Scutari from 1757 to 1831. Their dominance of the Scutari region was gained through a network of alliances with various highland tribes...
family, Monsignor Pal Pjeter Kamsi was eventually allowed again to reside in the city.
In 1851, after the faithful had continuously applied for the permission from the Sultan for the building of the church, Abdülmecid I
Abdülmecid I
Sultan Abdülmecid I, Abdul Mejid I, Abd-ul-Mejid I or Abd Al-Majid I Ghazi was the 31st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and succeeded his father Mahmud II on July 2, 1839. His reign was notable for the rise of nationalist movements within the empire's territories...
issued the decree.
The dome, firstly built in wood, almost fell off 35 years after the construction, so in 1897 it was replaced by other materials, which are the ones that exist even today. In 1909, Albanian painter Kolë Idromeno
Kole Idromeno
Kolë Idromeno was an Albanian painter, sculptor, photographer, architect and engineer.He was born in Shkodër, where he learned the first elements of photography from Pietro Marubi. In 1876 he stayed for some months at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice , and then worked in the studio of an Italian...
, coffer
Coffer
A coffer in architecture, is a sunken panel in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon in a ceiling, soffit or vault...
ed the vault
Vault (architecture)
A Vault is an architectural term for an arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof. The parts of a vault exert lateral thrust that require a counter resistance. When vaults are built underground, the ground gives all the resistance required...
. His paintings in the vault can still be seen today, especially that of Lady of Shkodër, followed by two angels, who are dressed in Shkodër folk costumes. In the background is the city of Shkodër, surrounded by the Rozafa castle.
An earthquake in 1905 and the bombing of 12 March 1913 during the Siege of Scutari damaged the bell tower and the clock, which had been given by the Kakarriqi brothers. In 1925, the Kakarriqi family purchased another clock which has worked till 1967, when the church was transformed into a Palace of Sports following the Cultural Revolution. Ironically even the Congress of the Communist Women of Albania was held in the Cathedral in 1973.
The towers were destroyed in 1967 and the portal was boarded up.
In 1990 the Cathedral was reopened and on November 11, 1990 the first mass in the country since 1967 was held in the cathedral. A symbolic mass was held in the cathedral on March 21, 1991. In 1993 it was visited by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
.
Background
Legend has it that the discussion on the size of the cathedral was decided upon the agreement that the size should be as long the throwing of a string built by the stripes of one skinned cow. Gjergj Nikë Sheldija, who was present in that discussion, has told that the string was firstly taken into the hands of the Scutari's WāliWali
Walī , is an Arabic word meaning "custodian", "protector", "sponsor", or authority as denoted by its definition "crown". "Wali" is someone who has "Walayah" over somebody else. For example, in Fiqh the father is wali of his children. In Islam, the phrase ولي الله walīyu 'llāh...
, who put it into his little finger and threw it. After his throwing the counsul of United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
threw it much further, the consul of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
even further, and the consuls of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, and even the Austro-Hungarian Empire went much further than that of the Wāli. This one, smiling under his moustache, is said to have murmured: "You probably want to put here all the Catholics of Albania".
Construction
The land was given by mecenate Palok Krandja. Work commenced on 7 April 1858 after a major delay. There was a pompous ceremony on that day for the construction of this cathedral which would be one of the biggest catholic cathedrals in the BalkansBalkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
at that time, and many local and diplomatic personalities participated at the inauguration of the construction work. Besides giving his permission for the building through a decree, Sultan Abdülmecid I
Abdülmecid I
Sultan Abdülmecid I, Abdul Mejid I, Abd-ul-Mejid I or Abd Al-Majid I Ghazi was the 31st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and succeeded his father Mahmud II on July 2, 1839. His reign was notable for the rise of nationalist movements within the empire's territories...
had also sent 700 Turkish lira
Turkish lira
The Turkish lira is the currency of Turkey and the de facto independent state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The lira is subdivided into 100 kuruş...
s, whereas Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
had provided 1,000 golden scudi
Papal States scudo
The Roman scudo was the currency of the Papal States until 1866. It was subdivided into 100 baiocchi , each of 5 quattrini...
. The first phase of construction finished in 1867, 9 years later.
The cathedral was 74 meters long, 50 meters wide and 23.5 meters tall. Initially the main hall had a 6,000 people capacity (with people standing up).
There was a marathon of collection of monies at that time: besides the contribution, which included even proceeds from sold jewelries, each catholic family gave a worker to contribute to the construction for a period of at least 6 months. Gurash Shënkolli, a Shkodër citizen, is said to have been in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
during the time marriage of Franz Joseph I of Austria
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I was Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, King of Croatia, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Galicia and Lodomeria and Grand Duke of Cracow from 1848 until his death in 1916.In the December of 1848, Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria abdicated the throne as part of...
, and to have managed to enter in the Emperor's office. Gurash asked the Emperor financial aid for the construction of the church. Not only was Gurash given 150 napoleons
Napoleon (coin)
The Napoleon is the colloquial term for a former French gold coin. The coins were minted in denominations of , , , , and francs. This article will focus on the 20 franc coins issued during the reign of Napoleon, which are 21 mm in diameter, weigh 6.45 grams and, at 90% pure, contain 0.1867...
, but he was also congratulated by the Austrian Emperor for his typically Albanian audacity in asking that way and to an Emperor for that type of money.
During the construction, the big arch fell twice on the ground, and the fix was made through the help of an Austrian
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
engineer, whose name is unknown to us today. As the construction work was ending, a bell tower
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
was still missing. Archbishop Guerini gathered the representatives of the wealthiest catholic families. It was decided that three categories, depending on the level of wealth would provide each 20, 15 and 10 napoleon gold. This resulted in a dispute because many people didn't want to be ranked in lower wealth categories. At that point, Gjon Nushi, one of the wealthiest people of the community openly proposes to Filip Parruca, another wealthy man: "Let's finish the bell tower together, and on its wall we'll have a commemorative stone to remind posterity that it was our money to build it". This discussion was enough for the community to accept the bishop's proposal. Filip Parruca, Mark Pema and Pjetër Pema purchased in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
the bell, and had it put on the tower.