Saint Mary's Church of Leusa (Përmet)

The Saint Mary’s Church is an orthodox church in the village of Leusa (Leusë), located on the hill behind Përmet.

From the center of Përmet, it’s a 30 to 40-minute hike to the monastery, which is well worth the effort for the great views over the Vjosa river valley. We don’t recommend driving all the way up by car unless you have a 4×4 vehicle.

The dome-shaped basilica dates back to the 18th century but is in a well-maintained state. The church is built on a surface of 345 square meters and consists of a narthex, a naos, an altar, and a porch. A chapel was added later as well. The building is rich in murals, frescos, and other decorations. The murals date back to 1812 and the carved iconostasis was added in 1817.