Saint Nicholas Church, Argovë

Saint Nicholas Church is located in the village of Argovë, in the historic region of Malëshovë, within the Municipality of Përmet. It is an important monument of the area’s religious and cultural heritage.

According to local oral tradition, the construction of the church was connected with Vasiliqia, the wife of Ali Pasha of Tepelena, who is said to have played a role in facilitating its construction. The church was built in 1812, a date preserved on the northern entrance door. Architecturally, Saint Nicholas Church is a single-nave basilica with a hemispherical dome, measuring approximately 12 × 6.50 metres. Its cultural and artistic value is enhanced by the wall paintings and religious artwork created by the painter Nikollë Postenali in 1812.

An important testimony to his authorship can be found above the image of Christ on the church’s iconostasis, bearing the inscription: “By the hand of Nikollë Postenali, 1812.” Set within the beautiful natural landscape of Malëshovë, the church offers visitors an opportunity to discover the religious heritage, traditional architecture and cultural history of the Vjosa Valley.