The Cathedral of St. Stephen, known to the inhabitants of Shkodra as the Great Church, has a rich history. It is believed that the original cathedral stood within the walls of the famous Rozafa Castle until 1478, when the Ottoman conquest of the fortified city led to its conversion into a mosque.
Hundreds of years later, in 1851, the faithful of Shkodra formally requested permission from the Sultan in Istanbul to build a new cathedral in the city. After seven years, in April 1858, construction of the cathedral began.
Situated in a prime location near the city’s pedestrian street, the church has drawn the attention of foreign tourists, perhaps due to its impressive architectural style, which bears some resemblance to the structure of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Notably, the Diocesan Museum—the only museum in Albania dedicated to religion—is located nearby.
