Sveti Nikola, s. Ljuboten, skopsko, Republika Makedonija

	In the immediate vicinity of the Skopje village Ljuboten, which is situated on the slopes of the mountain Skopska Crna Gora, a church is built and dedicated to St. Nicholas. According to the inscription carved in the stone table positioned above the western entrance door, the church St. Nicholas was built in 1337, by the anonymous noblewoman, the donor Danica.
The church St. Nikola, village of Ljuboten, 16th century

Throughout the centuries it, as many other churches in Macedonia, has experienced the destiny of being abandoned and left completely without any care or protection. Due to this fact, its fresco-decoration and the upper portions of this temple of God were ruined. Thus, in the first part of the 20^th century, a thorough restoration was performed, taking care to maintain its original appearance.

The church is in the shape of an inscribed cross in an oblong basis. On its middle part there is a highly elevated eight-sided dome that is supported by four square pillars. The semi-circular five-sided apse on the eastern part, decorated by blind niches in the upper portions, fits well with the rest of the “broken” construction of the façade. The decoration is enriched by the façade bricks arranged in the shapes of crosses and chess fields.

The interior of the church is enhanced by the frescoes that are dated in the time of its building. The author of this fresco-decoration remained unknown to the present date. The stylistic properties of its painting technique evidence of a very talented fresco-painter, whose drawings stand out from the common iconographic concept. They are freed from rough anatomic inaccuracies, and in the painting of the frescoes there is a subtle, more realistic approach, supplemented by the rich palette in which the warm tones dominate. This is evident in the lower portion of the north wall, where besides the saints in full size, portrayed are also profane figures - members of the royal family - the empress Elena, the emperor Dušan and his son Uroš. Among the compositions, the one with the scenes from the Wedding in Kana Galilee is characteristic.

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