SELCKE, THE VILLAGE WITH WATERFALL
Pogon, Gjirokaster
SELCKE, THE VILLAGE WITH WATERFALL
Selckë is the Easternmost village of the region of Lunxhëria, 26 km southeast of Gjirokastra. Today, it is administratively part of municipality of Dropull but historically and culturally it was part of Lunxhëria. It is located to the left of the national road that goes through the Selckë Gorge to Poliçan.
The village is small and picturesque and contains, besides the natural beauty, well preserved dwellings, drinking fountains with interesting architecture, and two churches.
Selckë Gorge, 6 km long, is a Nature Monument with e beautiful waterfall, which in fact is somehow difficult to be reached, due to mountainous terrain. It is situated in Suha valley which divides the mount range Lunxheri-Bureto. In some parts, this gorge is so narrow, creating beautiful canyons. The valley is rich with fauna and flora.
In Selckë, you can find Saint Nicholas church, from the late 17th century, with the village cemetery. The well-preserved church has an elegant architecture and a magnificent belfry that stands out. In the interior there are also well-preserved frescoes and parts of a very valuable carved and gilded wooden iconostasis.
The village has also a drinking fountain embedded within an arched structure and covered with a dome, which is a Cultural Monument First category.
Another church lies above the village, the Saint Parascevi church, that was built later than the first. From its courtyard you can enjoy a beautiful view over the village and the Selckë gorge. The church is simple on the outside but its interior has a magnificent iconostasis, the bishop’s throne and ambone, all carved in wood and partially gilded. Even the column capitals decorated with stucco contribute to the enrichment of the interior décor.