A week ago Vince and I went to Laç. It was a beautiful sunny day and the drive south, about 1 1/2 hours from Shkodra, was very pleasant. We had never been to Laç so it was a new experience.

Laç is one of many cities in Albania that is undergoing major renovations. You can see bunkers everywhere, especially in the park in the center of the city. We drove by the square with the park and just from the car I counted 4! Ugly cement domes just sitting there. Hopefully they will cover them somewhat with foliage, but not completely because I feel they should be visible as a reminder of the country’s past.

We drove to St. Anthony’s Church of Laç. This church is particularly important to Albanians. Each year on June 13, more then 1,000,000 pilgrims of all religions, even atheists, from all parts of Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and other countries, flock to this church believed to have healing powers. The history of this place dates back to the 12th century and is filled with tales of mistreated monks that opposed the enemies of Christians, including the Ottoman Empire. The church sits up on a hill and overlooks the entire valley, it’s a stunning location. If you find yourself in Albania, St Anthony Church in Laç is a must see!