Labova of the Cross Claimed

Labova of the Cross. In the village of Labove e Kryqit, located near the small town of Libohova, is one of the oldest and the most beautiful Byzantine churches in Albania, dedicated to St. Mary. The Church was built in 554 in the time of Emperor Justinian.

Justinian erected the church in memory of his mother. The present building dates from the 10th century or – according to another source – 13th century, during the time of the Despotate of Epirus.

The church shares a number of typical features of 9th–11th century Byzantine architecture. The connection of the central aisle to the subsidiary aisles as well as the narthex is ensured through a triple passage (tribilon).

Several architectural elements found at the exterior of the building, such as the dome, the windows and the combination of brick- and stonework, are influenced from contemporary Byzantine churches