Towering over the small community of Rubik, the Franciscan monastery sits a top a white cliff as if observing the daily activities of the city.

Originally established in 1166 as one of four Benedictine Conventions in the Mirdita region of present day Albania, the church represents the ascension of Jesus Christ following his 40-day return after Easter.

Only five Franciscan conventions survived the Turkish raids of the time: that of Sebaste (Kurbin), Lezhe, Rubik, Mamli, and Bishti i Muzhlit (Durrës), which had more than 40 friars in total.

The religious complex, consisting of the Church, parish Cell, Bell Tower, hospices, and College, were built with a unique architecture and graphic artistic presentation (frescoes) that was almost completely destroyed by Communist leadership in 1967 during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.

Following the fall of communism in Albania and the rise of a Democratic state, national cultural monuments are beginning to experience restoration and protection.