During the early centuries of Christianity the Region of Himara has played an important role as being part of the Byzantine Empire. On the first millenia Himara was a member of the Despotate of Epirus and for some years it also played the role of the capital. During the Ottoman period the most serious problem for the Church was the massive return to Muslims.
THE CHURCH
St. Stephen's Church is located in the lower part of Drymades village, near the beach front. In its present state it is presented as a small post-Byzantine hat on whose walls are part of an earlier basilica that consisted of a nose divided into three naves, an altar and a narthex on the western side.
In the second construction phase, the church has lost its large dimensions and from the previous structure it uses parts of the aisle and of the former eastern wall, preserving data on the initial construction technique. Thus, the basilica was built with stone stones, lined with lime mortar. In the plaster with thick plaster, tile bricks are laid between the stones.
Planimetry and construction techniques, have led to the dating of the first phase of the century. XI - XII. The second phase of construction belongs to the post-Turkish invasion period. During this period, the interior of the chapel is decorated with wall paintings, which for stylistic features reflect in themselves two different stages of painting.
From the earliest stage is preserved only St. Stephen's head in the envelope environment, the saint to whom the church is proclaimed. The treatment of his portrait reflects the work of a quality master, who has adopted the Byzantine tradition in the selection of the types of saints, while their execution shows Western influences. Based on the above data it is believed this phase belongs to the century. XVI.
The inscription on the Beautiful Entries shows that the painting is the work of Mihail Zermas on the 16th century.
