Oct 5, 2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
The fresco paintings found inside St George's church in North Macedonia are
a rare example of Byzantine art in the Balkan region. The governments of North
Macedonia and Greece - alongside the European Centre for Byzantine Monuments -
have agreed to ensure the preservation of the frescoes.
High in the mountains above Lake Prespa that connects North Macedonia to Greece and Albania is the 12th century church of St George.
The fresco paintings found inside offer interesting and rare examples of
Byzantine art in the Balkan region and make up an important part of Europe's
cultural heritage.
"According to some scientists, we can see the first signs of the
pre-Renaissance period which we can see in the expression of the saints [but]
also in their dresses," explains Olivera Makrievska from the Institute for
the Protection of Monuments-Museum Bitola.
The governments of North Macedonia and Greece - alongside the European Centre for Byzantine Monuments - have signed a pact to protect and preserve the
And that's the challenge facing the restoration teams from both countries
tasked with the tricky upkeep of these centuries-old masterpieces.
"The paint comes mainly from the minerals from stones, vegetables or
even animals," said Babys Apostolidis from the European Centre for
Byzantium Monuments.
"The paint came from powder, very fine powder, and they mixed this powder with lime in water [...] The painter then would apply the paint on fresh mortar before the mortar dries."
Prime Ministers of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, Greece George Papandreou and Albania Sali Berisha at Pili Prespes resort, on the Greek side of the Prespa Lake, Fri 27 Nov 2009
Since North Macedonia and Greece signed the Prespa agreement in 2017,
bilateral relations have gained momentum.
One concrete result of this is the joint project for the preservation of
rich cultural heritage in the Lake Prespa region whose waters form the border
between the two countries.
--
Euronews