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Located in the village of Valësh, near Elbasan, is a hidden cultural gem nestled in the hills of the Shpati region. This small Orthodox church is not only a peaceful spiritual site but also an important piece of Albanian heritage.
What makes it especially notable is that it contains frescoes attributed to Onufri, one of Albania’s most celebrated icon painters of the 16th century, known for his vivid colors and expressive religious imagery. The church's interior preserves part of his artistic legacy, making it a rare and valuable site for lovers of religious art and history.
Only two ancient walls remain but the area inside is full of old houses and famous personalities houses, cobblestone streets, and an excellent restaurant. One castle wall is centred around the impressive sahati (clock tower). In the center of the castle are two water sources. The two-thousand-year-old Castle of Elbasan, a Roman construction built as early as the 3rd century BC. Foreigners in the 800s noted that cities like Elbasan no longer existed in Europe. Skampis, as this fortress-town was once called, was founded in 1466 by two strikingly different leaders: the Roman emperor Justinian and Sultan Mehmet the Second.
Tourist spot
Byshek, a tourist place 5 km near Elbasan, on the occasion of Summer Day, all the people from Elbasan organize a picnic, with celebrations and traditional food.
Roman thermal complex
kind of sport
Rafting is one of the most popular activities entertainment in Albania, which has been developed here as well river Shkumbin. The Shkumbin Valley has a special beauty rare with cataracts, caves, small beaches which you will if you have the opportunity to visit. In its northern part Shkumbini goes to areas with more radishes by adding speed and making it usable for rafting. Rafting starts from Kamara bridge (via egnatia) and ends near Elbasan city.
At least two bath houses with quiet hot waters (60°C and up). This is closer to Tirana than Elbasan but the facilities are maintained poorly. The springs that feeds the baths here is the hottest spring in Albania, even though it is actually a well where hot water was discovered by accident.
A set of hot springs in a picturesque canyon and surrounding. The main hot pool is 50-100 m after the entrance of the canyon.