Text and photos Helene Wesselingh

Miracle mountain in Northern Albania

Annual attract Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims to the sanctuary of Antonius in the Northern Albanian town of Lac, a mystical mountain and wonderplace.

"You have Europe, and you have Albania”, say the Albanians. Within Europe, Albania is the boy that always the last to be chosen by the sportgame. But Albania would like hear to Europe and recently signed a declaration of intent with the European Union. The country is long enough been only, says the residents. In the summer of 1990 finally stopped, but still unexpectedly the communist regime, a dictatorship with a total ban on religion. There was an end to isolation of 45 years, where 35 percent of the population lived in concentration camps. Thousands were under very miserable conditions, death.

Believe would be correct in Albania.

Believe would be correct, and that the Albanians like to show. "Welcome to the Airport Mother Teresa", sounds the voice of the master feed just before landing in the capital Tirana. The day of the beatification of Mother Teresa, October 19, 2003, called the Albanian government to national holiday. A beautiful image of her displays on the building of the national airport. Flying to the center of Tirana rosaries adorn the many rickety Mercedes. It is worth noting that before Albania by the Ottomans under the foot was run a Christian country. Currently, there are many remnants from that era found in the fifth century.

The national hero Skanderbeg was a Christian. During the four centuries of Turkish domination (until 1912), many Christians' became on paper 'Muslims in exchange for more freedom and reducing taxes.
And so the people gradually learned to live under the domination of the Turks. Since the revolution of 1990 flood many Christian missionaries Albania and parts kits from Bible. Saudi Arabia sends twenty thousand copies of the Koran. Everybody can believe, again. With the problem that the Arabic for the Albanians was unreadable. Sellers on the market in Tirana use the paper to help to tackle. The same happens with the works of (former) dictator Enver Hoxha.

A live print book

In Northern Albania is in the pilgrimage city of Lac Saint Anthony. The trip there runs through a live print book. Nature is breathtaking. Two little girls driving a small flock of sheep on. An old woman in traditional costume shows her two cows. A man varies with forest fresh cut wood on the back of a donkey. And all this against the backdrop of beautiful trees, forests and mountains. "This is the old route to the north," says the driver. "The road is worse than the new, but much nicer," he says enthusiastically. A beautiful mountain emerging from a white cross on. The sanctuary Lac is high. "It is a climb," confirms the driver, "but recently there is a way that allows the car or bus to go to the top." The majority of Albanians, the pilgrimage walk through the winding footpath. The elderly, even in bare feet. Lac itself seems a ghost town with its high towers of an old fertilizer factory in ruins deleted.

The Holy Mountain

The following day, June 13, the death of St. Antonius, and the day of the pilgrimage. The surrender was Antonius on one of its travel a few months in Albania. It could, because his order to the Franciscans, has been active from the 5th century in Albania. One of the pilgrims is Father Piet van Wanrooy, a Dutch priest working in Bushat. This cozy Dutchman know a lot of Albania since he has already lived 17 years. "They can write a book about the miracles that happened and still happen today on this holy mountain." According to Father Piet is about average ten unexplained miraculous healings per year. "The whole mountain is sacred," he whispers as if the a great mystery and secrecy is. "For centuries and centuries people find healing, comfort and lighting."

A whole climb

The road to the sanctuary runs through the poor neighborhoods of Lac. These show how intense poverty among many Albanians still live. And then emerging beautiful sanctuary in an unspoiled nature. "One million Albanians, the next few days here to make their pilgrimage," he says with his Dutch fun accent. "Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims, the way to the top and spend the night on the mountain.
The very large togetherness is a big miracle, "said Father Piet.
Wherever we look we see people everywhere, and you can smell the scent of candles. Handicapped people on stretchers to the top nominee. All sheep are dragged along to sacrifice on the summit of the mountain, a climb of an hour. En route, thousands of stones from the holy mountain, stacked together, sometimes with a picture or piece of clothing there.
People touch the mountain continuously and very many places, the stones become completely smooth. "Recently there is a spontaneous cancer cure," says the driver. "It is unfortunate that the international press so little attention, but may have this precious gem yet to be discovered by foreigners.

Healing water

The sound of people running and spring water, healing water, creating a different world. The following night also. It is a night of mystical stories about the beautiful Albanian people, who are so little known. Each story speaks of answered prayers of loads that are lit or helps become. But also restored confidence. The whole night was a coming and going of people. One third of the Albanian population, climb the mystical mountain of Antonius, in the hope he can bring them back what is lost, hope, healing and above all confidence in the future.