Half-Day Pilgrimage Tour to St. Anthony's Church from Tirana in Albania

Laç, also known as Laçi, is a prominent city located in northwestern Albania. Serving as the administrative center of the Kurbin District within Lezhë County, Laç is distinguished by its significant religious and cultural heritage. The city is home to the renowned "Kisha e Laçit" or "Kisha e Shën Anoit," a church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal, between 1190 and 1195, is a revered Catholic saint who passed away in Padua, Italy, in 1231. The church stands as Albania's most important pilgrimage site, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, particularly on June 13th and on Saturdays throughout the year. Its historical significance extends beyond its Christian roots, as the site is believed to have served as a sacred place for Pelasgian and Illyrian deities in ancient times. Situated near a cave with a history of spiritual reverence spanning millennia, the church continues to be a focal point for religious devotion and cultural continuity in the region.