Cave Church of Holy Archangel Mikhail, village of Radozda, Struga
| The cave church dedicated to the Leader of the Heavenly Forces, Archangel Michael was built in the natural caves high in the rocks in one of the most beautiful areas on the west coast of Lake Ohrid, above the village of Radozda. The church got today’s architectural look in the 14th century when also it was decorated inside with fresco painting. |
|
Part of the discovered frescoes come from the 12th century and they show that the younger painters who came a hundred years later to paint the church didn’t destroy the bottom layer of the fresco painting and basically followed the old theme.
We should mention only a few compositions that deserve the attention of the international public. The composition "The Wonder in Hona", with the remarkable character of the Archangel Michael – one of the oldest scenes in fresco-painting in the entire Christian art.
In addition to the painted compositions from the series called Great Holidays and the sufferings of Christ, there is also the newly discovered portrait of the patron and protector of the city of Ohrid, St. Clement.
The paintings in this cave church are some of the last works of the Ohrid School of Painting from the 14th century. The content and iconography was basically preserved, but still there is a difference from the older works of the Ohrid painting circle. The portraits abandon the classical forms and the compositions reflect the spirit of the folk tales.
The cave church dedicated to Archangel Michael has continued its existence until today. The iconostasis and the cross are from 1840. The cross may have modest artistic value, however it is important for research and analysis of the Miyak Art School from the 19th Century.
G. Angeličin - Žura
© Vertikala - progressive ideas and technologies
The hosting of this web-site is
sponsored by 
All rights reserved. Any reproduction of the content or any of its parts or any modification, in any form or by any method, known or yet to be invented, for any use besides private, without prior written permission by the authors is prohibited.
