Alkis Prepis (Scientific Coordinator) - Julija Trichkovska - Donka Bardjieva-Trajkovska - Jovica Manevski - Gligor Mukaetov - Emanuele Armani, "FYROM: The Church of St. George, Staro Nagorichane", Preliminary Technical Assessment, Council of Europe & European Commission, Strasbourg 2006, pp.14 (original) (raw)

Integrated Rehabilitation Project Plan
Survey of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage (IRPP/SAAH)
Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in South East Europe

Plan pour la mise en œuvre de projets de réhabilitation intégrée
Evaluation du patrimoine architectural et archéologique (IRPP/SAAH)
Programme régional pour le patrimoine culturel et naturel dans le Sud-Est de l’Europe
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Preliminary Technical Assessment (PTA)

THE CHURCH OF ST. GEORGE
Village of Staro Nagorichane
“the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia”

INTEGRATED REHABILITATION PROJECT PLAN /

SURVEY OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE (IRPP/SAAH)

Regional Programme
for Cultural and Natural Heritage
in South East Europe
2003 - 2006

PRELIMINARY TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE

FOREWORD

In the framework of the European Commission/Council of Europe Joint Programme on the Integrated Rehabilitation Project Plan /Survey on the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage (IRPP/SAAH), the present Preliminary Technical Assessment (PTA) was prepared by local experts: Mrs. Donka Bardjieva-Trajkovska and Mr. Jovica Manevski, headed by Ms. Julija Trichkovska on behalf of Mr. Jovan Ristov, IRPP/SAAH Project Co-ordinator, in co-operation with the PTA expert group: Leader Dr. John Bold (United Kingdom); Experts: Ms. Emma Carmichael (United Kingdom), Mr. Giorgio Gianighian (Italy), Mr. Andreas Heymowski (Sweden), Mr. David Johnson (United Kingdom), Mr. Pedro Ponce de Leon (Spain), Mr. Alkis Prepis (Greece). Council of Europe expert, Mr. Emanuele Armani also provided specialist advice.

The Preliminary Technical Assessment (PTA) was adopted by the Ministry of Culture of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” on 14 November 2005.

1. Introductory page

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Site map

1.1 Country or Territory:

1.2 Name of organisation compiling the information:

1.3 Contact name:

1.4 Email address:

1.5 Name and address of building or site:
1.6 Inventory reference number(s):
1.7 Building/Monument/Site type:
1.8 Main dates:
1.9 Current use(s):
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Church of St. George, Staro Nagorichane
“the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.
Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia- Skopje / Cultural Heritage Protection Office-Skopje Donka Bradjieva-Trajkovska, PhD, Art Historian/ Julija Trichkovska, MA, Art Historian. rzaindok@mt.net.mk uzknrm@mt.net.mk Church of St. George, village of Staro Nagorichane.
4-817-093/2RND; r.b. 1035 (27.07.1950).

Monument, Orthodox Church.
First half of the 14th 14^{\text {th }} century (the church) / beginning of the 20th 20^{\text {th }} century (the bell-tower).
Church in use.

2. Executive Summary

The Church of St. George in the village of Staro Nagorichane is one of the most important 14th 14^{\text {th }} century Byzantine monuments, the architectural conception and fresco decoration of which tally with the latest cultural achievements of Byzantine art in Thessalonica and Constantinople. The frescoes are the second to last work of King Milutin’s famous court painters Michael and Eutychius, who decorated several churches in Macedonia and Serbia. Their fresco paintings in Staro Nagorichane are considered, by eminent art researchers, as the seminal work of the Byzantine art from the Palaeologue Age.

Regular religious service is performed in the church but the whole monastery complex looks shabby and forlorn.

The key problem is the fresco paintings, which are in a very bad condition, because of the bad treatment of the monument. The priority interventions suggested in this document refer to the church. The interventions in the immediate surroundings refer to: consolidation and presentation of the bell-tower, remains of the old tombs, adequate fencing of the whole complex and the entrance space. Special studies are suggested for the presentation of the site and the rehabilitation of the monument for the needs of the greater number of visitors.

The Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje, in collaboration with the monument owner - the Macedonian Orthodox Church - will manage the preparation of the special studies for its rehabilitation.

3. Administrative information

3.1 Responsible Authorities

The Metropolis of Polog-Kumanovo is responsible for the management of the church. The Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia - Skopje is responsible for providing protection and conservation.

The Cultural Heritage Protection Office is responsible for supervision of the protection of the projects.

3.2 Building/Site, Name and Address

Name: Church of St. George
Address: Village of Staro Nagorichane

3.3 Map reference - according to Google Earth software:

Latitude: 42∘20′N42^{\circ} 20^{\prime} \mathrm{N}
Longitude: 21∘83′E21^{\circ} 83^{\prime} \mathrm{E}

3.4 Type of monument

Architectural: five-domed church; bell-tower; areas with gravestones.

3.5 Ownership

The church is the property of the Macedonian Orthodox Church: the Kumanovo-Polog Metropolis - Skopje

3.6 Statutory Protection/Constraints

Cultural heritage of exceptional national importance, under Resolution N ∘1032{ }^{\circ} 1032 (17.07.1950).

Official permission for undertaking interventions in the immediate or wider area of the monument should be requested from the Metropolis of Polog-Kumanovo (with its headquarters in Skopje) and from the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia/The Cultural Heritage Protection Office Skopje…

4. Summary of condition

4.1 Summary of Physical Condition

Urgent measures are necessary to be undertaken for the elimination of the fresco deterioration. The knock-on effect following the installation of the new roof have had a negative effect on the fresco paintings and soon they will undergo major, irreversible changes. This could be manifested in several ways: deplastering of the coloured layer of the vaults, appearance of fungi and dark spots, changes in the colouring. Inappropriate conservation works undertaken on surfaces, where the fresco paintings had previously been destroyed; the fresco-icons on the altar templon are darkened (by candle soot); the fresco in the niche above the church entrance hs almost fully disappeared. The remains of the structure of the porch building are in very bad condition: the walls are ruined; the roof covering is missing. Damaged building limestone blocks on the facades (flaking stone surfaces, joint gaps) - especially on the domes drums - and vegetation on the building. Neglected site area: the grave area is heavily overgrown with vegetation; there is no appropriate access to the church surroundings; the structure of the bell-tower is in good condition but there is need for intervention on the tile roof and on the wooden door.

4.2 Condition Risk Assessment

4.3 Priority for intervention

High - Research on the appropriate roof covering system to protect the wall paintings.
High - Structural stabilisation of the porch and an appropriate roof covering solution.
High - Conservation, partial restoration and stabilisation of damaged building limestone blocks on the facades.
Middle - Site (church yard) presentation; conservation/restoration of the bell-tower; conservation of the boundary walls.

5. Existing information

5.1 Documentary sources:

1987 - Report on the conservation works on the upper building parts and roof covering (prepared by the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje);
1997 - Project on the Conservation and Restoration of the Domes and the Roof Construction (prepared by the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje);
1997 - Report on the Results of the microbiological analysis on the fresco paintings (prepared by the experts of the Institute of Biology, University of St.Cyrillus and Methodius-Skopje).
1998 - Preliminary Solution for the Conservation Measures on the Wall Paintings (prepared by the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje).
1999 - Report on the Results of the Previous Conservation Activities and on the Physical Condition of the Monument (prepared by expert’s team established by the Ministry of Culture)

Documentation is available in the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje.

5.2 Bibliography:

Selected bibliography:

  1. P.J.Popovic, Prilog za studiju stare srpske crkvene arhitekture, Starinar I, 1923 (Serbian, Cyrillic): The study contains detailed information on the church architecture.
  2. N. Okunjev, Gradja za istoriju srpske umentosti. Crkva Svetog Djordja u Starom Nagorichinu, GSND V, 1929 ( Serbian, Cyrillic): First study considering the history, architecture and wall paintings.
  3. Djurdje Boshkovic, Opravka crkve u Starom Nagorichinu, GSND, 1931 (Serbian, Cyrillic): Report on the first conservation activities (on the roof covering, walls, floor) with detailed description of the type and level of intervention, material used i.e.; Report on the archaeological excavation around the church.
  4. Petar Miljkovic Pepek, Deloto na zografite Mihailo and Eutihij, Skopje 1967 (Macedonian, Cyrillic): Analysis on the iconography and significance of the wall paintings.
  5. Branislav Todic, Staro Nagorichino, Beograd 1993 (Serbian, Cyrillic), monograph; History, architecture and wall paintings.

5.3 Fieldwork already conducted:

5.4 Projects in progress:

No project in progress

5.5 Projects already planned:

No projects planned

5.6 Financial estimates already made:

6. Scope of the PTA

6.1 Extent/Nature of the assessment:

Donka Bardjieva-Trajkovska, PhD, Art Historian, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia.
Julija Trichkovska, MA, Art Historian, Cultural Heritage Protection Office
Gligor Mukaetov, painter - conservator of wall paintings, Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia
E. Armani, Architect and Wall Painting Conservator, Council of Europe expert
A. Prepis, PhD, Architect, Council of Europe expert

Time spent: 4 days

6.2 Limitations of the study:

No access to the roof.
No access to the upper floors of the bell-tower.

7. The PTA

7.1 Background and 7.2 Significance:

7.1.1 Summary description of the building/site

The Church of St. George is situated at the very entrance of the village of Staro Nagoricane in the vicinity of Kumanovo town. Built as the catholicon of the former monastery complex, it represents a five domed building of modified type of cross-shaped Byzantine church. The outer walls up to the window zone are made of huge smooth “trachyte” stone blocks. The renovated upper walling is built of the same stone combined with bricks, enriched by brick ornaments over the windows openings. The original roof was covered with tiles, but the present - with lead. The stone templon has been added after its erection and covered with fresco-icons; wall surfaces have been painted with rich iconographic programme. The west porch, built later, represented a rectangular space with lean-to roof; the roof and most of the side walls are ruined.

The bell-tower at the northern yard entrance is a tall stone building with rectangular basement, the upper parts of which have a similar treatment to the decoration of the upper parts of the church.

The cemetery on the west side of the church has been dislocated a long time ago and the only remains in the south part of the church are heavily damaged.
7.1.2 St. George church was built upon the foundations of an older building dating back to the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Roman IV Diogenes ( 11th 11^{\text {th }} century), ruined later. The church was renovated in 1313 by the Serbian king Milutin. The frescoes are one of the last works of the famous royal painters Michael and Eutychius from Thessalonica. The monastery was left neglected until the end of 16th 16^{\text {th }} century, when renovation works were performed (change of the roof coronas, renovation of the narthex). The porch (on the western part of the church) and the bell-tower were probably built in the first half of the 20th 20^{\text {th }} century. In 1991 the church renewed its basic religious service.

Several protective works had been undertaken by the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the R. of Macedonia, but the lack of a sophisticated permanent follow-up strategy, the appropriate and timely interventions, as well as the strategy/projects for the presentation of the whole complex is evident.

7.2 Significance

The church of St. George in the village of Staro Nagoricane is one of the most important 14th 14^{\text {th }} century Byzantine monuments. The donor, King Milutin, invited famous constructors who used the latest architectural achievements of Constantinople architecture. The frescoes are the second to last work of King Milutin’s famous court painters Michael and Eutychius from Thessalonica, where they accumulated their extraordinary talent and education. Their work is representative of the new Palaeologian style, similar to the masterpieces of the workshop at the court of Emperor Andronicus II Palaeologus.

Most eminent researchers (Ch. Diehl, T. Rice, G. Millet, A. Grabar, N. Okunjev) consider the Staro Nagoricane fresco paintings as the seminal work of the Byzantine art from the Palaeologue Age.

Regular religious service is still performed in the church but the whole monastery complex looks shabby and forlorn.

The St. George Church fresco paintings have a universal importance and their conservation treatment is considered a necessary and urgent task.

7.3 Vulnerability/Risk assessment.

Lack of administration and legislation - poor integration into sustainable development plans (cultural tourism; researching/scientific programmes on international level - workshops, e.g)

7.4 Technical condition

1. The Church:

The structure of the church building is in good condition.
The priority of intervention on the building concerns the condition of the wall paintings.

The opinion of the CoE expert is that the principal cause for the frescoes’ deterioration is to be found in the non-effective way the rain and weather elements in general have been managed in the past years through the existing roof system, some of which were intended as temporary, which eventually contributed to water infiltrations inside the wall structure, the domes and the vaults, surfacing and dripping on the painted surfaces.

The consequences of such infiltrations on the frescoes’ surfaces are clear: large painted areas have fallen and have been eventually replaced by neutral-coloured mortars whose compositions are unknown (hydraulic mortars). These are also affected by stains and infiltrations that are slowly changing their composition.

In other areas, where the painted surfaces are still present, spread chromatic and superficial alterations can be noticed due to salt efflorescence, stains and organic materials. These, according to the degradation intensity, are producing white stains, blackening and encrustations.

Still very visible are the humidity stains inside the church, caused by infiltrations on the vaults and the domes, while outside the results of water dripping along the walls and the masonry is evident, creating the ideal condition for the growth of weeds and moss.

It is then quite likely that, in spite of the interventions realised in the past, the effective faculty of the current roof system to keep the water out is not guaranteed, letting the water find its way through the narrow interstices between the masonry and the lead covering especially in the area of the walls underneath the domes where the damage is greater.

The main priority is therefore to check that the current roof system is effectively carrying out its functions. Otherwise the first thing to do would be to fix it beforehand, prior to any restoration on the frescoes.

To define the real cause of deterioration and the appropriate intervention, the works will be undertaken as follows:

Phase 1: Removing the lead roof cover, very gradually: First step: removing a part on the eastern section of the building, raising a temporary roof (with a layer of soil as a protective - tampon zone) on the vaulted parts.
After research, local experts have suggested to continue with:
Phase 2: Project on new roof covering - consulting the traditional roof covering systems and materials (medieval type of tiles), supported with: appropriated technical documentation; detailed analysis on the main cause(s) of damages as well as on the original system of roof covering; defining the optimal microclimate propositions.

Phase 3: Project on the wall paintings conservation: appropriate documentation; identification of the type of the salt and micro-organisms which are deposited on the surface of the wall paintings; defining the methods of conservation;
Porch: Project on structural consolidation and rebuilding of the demolished parts of the walls; solution for roof covering.

2. The church yard/site in general:

Cleaning the yard (overgrown vegetation), solutions for site presentation (illumination and signalisation; seating places, paths, i.e.); conservation measures on the belltower as well as on the gravestones; consolidation of the boundary wall; appropriate entrance door and fence.

7.5 Outline summary of required repairs

Roof church/ porch Lead roof covering; vegetation growth on all dome drums; demolished porch roof covering. Remove existing roof covering; new roof covering, according to the mediaeval (Byzantine) tradition; roof covering for the porch - in the feasibility study
Walls/facades - church/ porch Damaged limestone blocks on the facades (flaking of stone surfaces); semi-demolished walls of the porch. Conservation, partial restoration and stabilisation of the damaged limestone blocks; structural stabilisation of the porch’s building; rebuilding the demolished parts of the walls
Wall paintings Serious damages to the upper sections surfaces (presence of salt, fungi, micro-organisms); inappropriate interventions on the missing parts surfaces (use of hydraulic lime mortar); fragmentary preserved parts on the western facade (above the entrance). Fully conserve the interior wall paintings; remove the hydraulic lime mortar; filling of lime mortar; Conserve the wall paintings on the western façade.
Church yard Neglected yard; vegetation growth; difficult access around the church, to the cemetery and to the bell-tower; solid structure of the bell-tower (damages to the wooden door; no access to upper floors). Clean the yard; remove vegetation; arrange passages and pavement around the church to the cemetery section and to the bell-tower; conserve / restore the gravestones; conserve / restore the bell-tower; set wooden seating in selected places
(especially under the trees of the entrance plateau).
Site presentation Demolished parts on the boundary wall; no parking space; no information desk; no proper lighting to the monument and to the site. Repair and compile boundary wall, raise it to a reasonable height; fencing and place a new gate to the street; parking space on the other side of the street; information desk at the entrance; proper lighting to the monument and to the site; install garbage bins; toilet unit (outside).

7.6 Conservation policy and proposals

Existing as an orthodox church with active service, the monument should continue with its original function under a well-defined protective regime. The religious services as well as tourist tours should be left undisturbed by other possible cultural activities.

7.6.1 Broad summary of the vision for the site

The monument was built in the Kumanovo (Zegligovo) vicinity, a region of a historic interest, during the reign of the Holy King Milutin renewed as a restorer of abandoned and dilapidated orthodox churches. Since high universal values are being discussed, that are the subject of interest for scientific circles as well as for ordinary visitors, the monument could provide funds that would be reused for its long-term maintenance and preservation if appropriately managed. The monument is situated near the Serbian border and the Prohor of Pchinja Monastery. In the neighbouring area, in the village of Mlado Nagorichane, there are two noteworthy post-Byzantine churches (dedicated to St. Paraskeva and St. George), as well as a picturesque landscape of the historical site of Zebernjak. All of these features could be attractive tourist destinations. A project for tourist revitalization of the wider area should be prepared, in which this significant micro complex (with no road signage), will be included.

7.6.2 Conservation philosophy

The general conservation idea as a defining principle is to analyse and use the authentic (mediaeval) building system, as well as to apply traditional building material and fresco painting methods. If the old mediaeval system of roof covering is applied, it would provide the appropriate condition for the fresco paintings to survive in spite of the use of synthetic and other materials for the wall painting conservation, incompatible with the Byzantine technique and technology of fresco painting. The same methodology will be followed for the restoration of the damaged limestone blocks and for the adequate reconstruction of the porch roof.

7.6.3 Level of intervention

  1. The main objective of the conservation works is to restore the original state of the church building providing appropriate microclimate condition, essential for future existence of the monument:

In their actual state, and without any additional information, it can be said that the main issue to consider for the conservation of the frescoes is first of all the functionality of the roof system and then the total absence of any working drainage system to carry the water outside the church.
Giving priorities, it is surely more urgent to lay a canalisation along the perimeter of the church, either natural (gravel) or artificial (concrete) which

could help the water to flow away from the wall base once it falls from the roof. This would increase the humidity evaporation and reduce the quantity of soluble salts in the wall-painted areas.

Once these two points:

  1. inspection of the roof system
  2. creation of a water drainage system

are put into practice, it will be possible to proceed with the actual fresco restoration, some of which, such as those in the apse, have already been effectively restored.

  1. Consolidation and presentation of the bell-tower architecture.
  2. Consolidation of the stone grave structures.

7.6.4 Preliminary proposals for appropriate use/7.6.5 Opportunities for social uses and sustainable development

The character of the monument defines its function as an orthodox church in continuing use. Its permanent function does not exclude the possibility of its scientific and tourist exploitation or for possible cultural activities, if a separate feasibility study is prepared for that purpose

7.6.6 Broad assessment of priorities for consolidation/covering, repair, conservation, restoration.

7.6.7 Public access/ 7.6.8 Other benefits

The monument is open to the public. In that sense a popularity and affirmation study is required as well as its inclusion in the tourist routes on national and regional level.

7.7 Finance

7.7.1 Broad assessment of budgetary needs and phasing; this is not binding and is to be more fully assessed at feasibility stage.

Phase 1:

-Setting a temporary protective roof covering (raising over the apse, prothesis and diaconikon): 200 m2200 \mathrm{~m}^{2} 8,000€000 €

-Project on the reconstruction of the roof covering structure (for the building as a whole), 15,000€15,000 €
-Project on the wall paintings conservation…10,000€
Total: …55,000 €

Phase 2:

- Long term arrangements:

Feasibility study on the site presentation will be managed by the Institute for the Protection and the Church’ authorities. The management of the separated studies concerning different aspects of presentation (site illumination; information desk; tourist offers, parking area i.e.) will be arranged between the Institutes within the Ministry of Culture (the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Macedonia and the Cultural Heritage Protection Office) and the authorities of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and Ministry of Local Self Government.

8. Supporting Documentation

See appendix

9. Feasibility studies

The feasibility study requires:

  1. Detailed analysis and revision of the roof cover with proposed measures to be taken for removing/eliminating the cause of the continuous damage to the fresco paintings: Research study - need of particular specialist advice from architect (expert of Byzantine building system) as well as from an expert of wall paintings (fresco technique) conservator.
  2. Documentation - photo/video and graphic documentation on the current condition of the fresco paintings giving prominence to the most vulnerable sections.
  3. Analysis on the types of salt and micro-organisms, the pigments and colour scheme of the wall paintings - need of expertise.
  4. Need for scaffolding.
  5. Researching on the type of the porch roof covering.
  6. Need to consider the wider context of the monument and its relationship to the environment - to prepare separate studies of site presentation.

Approximate broad assessment of the budgetary needs for the proposed intervention (level and phases) are given in the section 7.7.1 of this document.

PTA Report carried out by:

Donka Bardjieva-Trajkovska, PhD, Art Historian.
Julija Trichkovska, MA, Art Historian.
Jovica Manevski, Civil engineer.
Emanuele Armani, Architect and Wall Paintings Conservator, CoE expert
Alkiviades Prepis, PhD, Architect, CoE expert.
Skopje, August 2005

APPENDIX

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The Church - south-eastern view
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The Bell - tower, southern façade
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The Cemetery area

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Damage on the wall - paintings, central aisle vault
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Intervention on the north-western of the column wall paintings

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Ground plan of the church
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A joint initiative of the European Commission and the Council of Europe

Une initiative conjointe de la Commission européenne et du Conseil de l’Europe

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Cultare 2000

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