Macedonia’s churches and monasteries are among the country’s most precious treasures, where the spiritual and artistic heritage of the Byzantine Orthodox tradition is magnificently preserved.
While Macedonian churches share the essential characteristics of all Byzantine churches across the Balkans, in terms of construction, design and artwork, they also have very unique elements. First among these are the incredibly detailed and precise wood carvings found in many churches, especially in western Macedonia, created by the well-trained masters of the centuries-old Macedonian School of ecclesiastical art.
The singularity of Macedonia’s churches is also attested in the many frescoes and icons unusual for either their subject matter or style. Macedonian icons, acknowledged as being among the most important in the world, were recently displayed at a comprehensive exhibit by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Macedonia’s myriad churches bear witness to the country’s rich and varied past. Many reveal the influence of Serbian, Greek or Latin founders, while Oriental and even Evangelical touches can be seen in a few.
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