Close to Kavadarci, southwest from the village of Dradnja, high in the rocks, a cave church dedicated to Saint Nikola was raised, also known as Marco’s church.

It is a small single-nave construction, built from broken stone and carved limestone, covered by a semicircular vault of limestone rocks.

There was an inscription discovered inside the church, but only a very small portion of the text can be actually read and interpreted. It speaks of a prior, an archpriest and a governor, but their names remain a secret since the inscription is only partly preserved.

According to research and scientific study of the fresco-art, it is presumed that it originates from the 14th century. One can notice the following compositions: "Assumption of Virgin Mary", Transformation", scenes from St.Nikola’s life, and some other faces like the one of St.Nikanor, the evangelist Jovan etc.

In the immediate proximity of the church, one can notice remains of cemetery tomb constructions, roof tiles and stones used for construction.

M. Cvetanovska

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