THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY VIRGIN (LJEVISKA) Prizren Kosovo/UNMIK 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 Document adopted by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, on 29 January 2007 THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY VIRGIN (LJEVISKA) Prizren Kosovo/UNMIK FOREWORD In the framework of the European Commission/Council of Europe Joint Programme on the Integrated Rehabilitation Project Plan /Survey of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage (IRPP/SAAH), the present Preliminary Technical Assessment (PTA) was prepared by the following local experts in co-operation with Mr Alkiviades Prepis, Council of Europe expert: Mr Zoran Garić, Mr Jovica Lukić, Svetlana Hadžić, Mr Filip Gorgijev, Mr Nenad Trajković, Mrs Aleksandra Fulgosi and headed by Mr Borislav Surdić, IRPP/SAAH Project Coordinator. The Reconstruction Implementation Commission for Orthodox Religious Sites in Kosovo (RIC) was involved in the preparation of this Preliminary Technical Assessment (PTA). The IRPP/SAAH PTA expert group is made up of : 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. Alkiviades Prepis (Greece). The Preliminary Technical Assessment (PTA) was adopted by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia on 29 January 2007. Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 1 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Introductory page Site map 1.1 Country or Territory: 1.2 Name of organization 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): 2. The Cathedral of Ljeviska Serbia and Montenegro, Kosovo/UNMIK Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade Zoran Garić, Architect gariczoran@bitinfo.co.yu The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin - Ljeviška / Prizren, Kralja Milutina st. Registry number RIPM of Serbia, SK – 1369 (1948 – 1990); Decision No. 352 of 11 March 1948 of the Institute for Protection and Scientific Study of Cultural Monuments of the Peoples’ Republic of Serbia; Decision on Recognizing a Cultural Site of Special Significance, Official Gazette of the RS No. 16 of 2 December 1990. Orthodox Cathedral Church within the historical-urban zone of the Prizren centre. 1306/7 - Construction of the church. 1756 - transformed into a mosque. 1912 - re-instated as a Christian temple. 1999 - locked and surrounded by barbedwire 2004 - set on fire from the inside. The church is closed and no longer in use. Executive Summary The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin – Ljeviška is situated in the old urban centre of Prizren, at the centuries-long seat of Prizren Episcopate. This area has traditionally been inhabited by the Serbian population. The centuries-long tradition in reconstruction – erection of the serving shrines on the existing foundations of older ones was continued by King Milutin in 1306–1307 by the additional construction and renovation of the Church of Holy Virgin, widely known as the Ljeviška Church. In the process of additional construction and renovation of the church upon the foundations of an early Christian basilica and a church dating from early XIII century, the proto-masters Nikola and Astrapa had endowed it with a specific and rich architectural and artistic expression through the combination of the Byzantine and Raška architecture styles. The remarkable and complex façade is __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 2 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ composed of interchanging layers of brick and stone. This is a five-domed and fiveaisled church of the cross-in-square type, to which was annexed an open, one-storey narthex with a tall bell tower. Besides the exceptional wall-paintings dating from 1220 and 1307-1313, the church also contains low-profile stone carving. The façades have a rich ceramoplastc, brick and stone decoration. During the Turkish rule, in 1756, the church was transformed into a mosque and its bell tower - into a minaret, while the façades and frescoes were covered by mortar and some spaces were blocked-up. Following the ultimate liberation of Prizren in 1912, the Holy Virgin Ljeviška was finally reunited with the Serbian Orthodox Church, and in 1923 the minaret was removed from the bell tower. In 1999, the church was closed down and surrounded by barbed wire following the expulsion and flight of the Serbian population from the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. The church was devastated, and the parish house and an ancillary facility were torn down. During the March 2004 riots, the unprotected church was once again exposed to devastation and flames. In 2005 the lead cover was looted from the church roof. The prefixes “Cathedral”, “Episcopal” and “City” Church speak about the monument’s importance for the Serbian population in Prizren and the surrounding areas. Being of such significance, the church has always had an important role in the history of the Serbs in a religious, spiritual and cultural meaning. After the arson and devastation of the entire church complex in 2004, the functions of sacral facility ceased to exist and thus the complex was abandoned to further deterioration and destruction. It has not been placed under the UNMIK and KFOR protection. The reconstruction of the complex of the Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin, as one of the most prominent Serbian symbols in Prizren, and its restitution under the administration of the Serbian Orthodox Church will be encouragement and incentive for the return of Serbs and other communities in Prizren. The main threat to the church is absence of security. The project is sustainable only if the conditions are provided for the return of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbs to Prizren. It is crucial to carry out the works that will stop further deterioration of the church complex. A complete consolidation and renewal of the church complex is anticipated, to be carried out in three phases: 1. Urgent intervention measures; 2. Conservation - reconstruction and renewal of the church and the ancillary facility; 3. Renewal of the parish house and the churchyard. 3. Administrative information 3.1 Responsible Authorities Serbian Orthodox Church, UNMIK 3.2 Building/Site, Name and Address The Cathedral Church of the Holy Virgin - Ljeviška / Prizren, Kralja Milutina st. 38400, Kosovo/UNMIK __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 3 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 3.3 Map reference Latitude: 42o 12’ 41,987’’ Longitude: 20o 44’ 08,641’’ Altitude: 430,38 3.4 Type of monument Christian Cathedral Church, a religious - architectural building in the urban centre of Prizren. 3.5 Ownership Serbian Orthodox Church. 3.6 Statutory Protection/Constraints The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin is located at the Cadastre Lot No. 2387, Prizren and this lot, together with the church and its immediate vicinity, were listed and placed under protection by Decision No. 352 of 11 March 1948 of the Institute for Protection and Scientific Study of the Cultural Monuments of the PRS in Belgrade. Since 1990 the church is a cultural monument of a special significance. Any modification or construction of this facility is not allowed without prior conditions and consent by the competent Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments. 4. Summary of condition 4.1 Summary of Physical Condition - Very Bad to Good The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin in a very bad condition. The church yard with its surroundings is also in a very bad condition. 4.2 Condition Risk Assessment Overall risk is very high: A More details of the risk assessment can be found further in the text, under paragraph 7.3. 4.3 Priority for intervention High. 5. Existing information 5.1 Documentary sources: Certain data and documents are available from the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, Belgrade, and the Office for Cultural Heritage Protection in Leposavić. Technical documentation is available in the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments – Prizren (IPMG). __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 4 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 5.2 Bibliography: 1. Vasić M. “Crkva Sv. Bogorodice na Ljeviši u Prizrenu i prizrenski episkop Damjan” Prilozi za književnost, jezik, istoriju i folklor knj. I, sv. 1, Beograd 1921, 93-101. 2. Nenadović S. “Bogorodica Ljeviška” Beograd 1963. 3. Živković B. “Konzervacija i restauracija oštećenih fresaka u crkvi Bogorodice Ljeviške u Prizrenu”, Starine Kosova i Metohije VІ-VІІ, Priština 1972-1973, 229243; 4. Ivanović M. “Crkveni spomenici XIII-XX veka” Zadužbine Kosova, PrizrenBeograd 1987, str. 71-88. 5. Panić D.-Babić G. “Bogorodica Ljeviška” Beograd 1988. 6. Nikolić S. “Prizren od srednjeg veka do savremenog doba” Prizren 1998, str. 13, 16, 18/9, 33, 39, 51, 55, 73, 80, 89-98, 99, 132, 136/7, 140, 161-165, 175/6, 181, 199, 210, 224, 237, 246, 261, 263, 340, 381, 404, 407, 428/9, 432. 7. Subotic, G, Art of Kosovo, New York 1998, 38-53. 8. “Spomenička baština Kosova i Metohije” Beograd 1999, str. 97-98 9. Mileusnić S. “Svetinje Kosova i Metohije” Beograd-Novi Sad, 2001, str. 48-67. 10. Krstić B. “Spasavanje kulturne baštine Srbije i Evrope na Kosovu i Metohiji” Beograd 2002, str. 42-43. 11. MNEMOSYNE “Urgentna zaštita prirodnog i kulturnog nasle a u Metohiji”, Beograd 2003, str. 198-205. 12. Ministarstvo kulture Republike Srbije i Muzej u Prištini, “Martovski pogrom na Kosovu i Metohiji 17-19 mart 2004. god.”, Beograd 2004, str.34/5. 5.3 Fieldwork already conducted: Since 1950 the archaeological and conservation-restoration works on the architecture and the frescoes of the church have been conducted under the guidance of national experts. 1950/1951 -archaeological research within the scheduled archaeological and conservation-restoration works programme. Removal of blocked-up passages, works in prothesis, on the roof and the roof covering. 1956/1958 – conservation works on the roof construction and replacement of covering by new stone tiles. 1968/1970 - a new lead tin roof cover was placed. 1950 - conservation works through removal of lime mortar and of paint over frescoes. 1951 - lime mortar and layers over the 13th century frescoes were removed. 1952 - conservation works on the frescoes of central dome, pendentives, pillars, portal, southern nave, diakonikon and the apse. 1953 - conservation works on the frescoes of exonarthex, bell tower and the southern nave. The swelling beneath the 13th century Holy Virgin with Child fresco was rehabilitated. 1965 - copies of St. Teodosije and the Annunciation Angel frescoes were made. 1966 - conservation-restoration works on the Last Supper wall-painting composition. 1968 - conservation-restoration works on the altar frescoes. 1969 - conservation-restoration works on the northern row of pillars frescoes in front of the altar, on the north-eastern cupola, on the southern chapel of the upper floor, and on the southern wall of the bell tower. 1970 - conservation-restoration works on the frescoes of the eastern pillars and on the area of both southern and northern triforae. 1971 - conservation-restoration works on frescoes of the western pillars and on the western naos wall. 1989/1990 - minor interventions on the frescoes. 2005 - urgent intervention – technical preventive–protection measures for architecture and frescoes, together with evaluation and technical damage assessment. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 5 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 5.4 Projects in progress: None 5.5 Projects already planned: 1. New roof covering (leads tin). 2. Conservation of the bell tower. 3. Reconstruction of the wooden platforms to the bell tower. 4. Reconstruction of the gallery in narthex 5. Reconstruction of katechumens over exonarthex. 6. Conservation of the damaged mortar on non-frescoed wall surfaces and the destroyed floor. 7. Clean church façades. 8. Conservation of the surrounding pavement and churchyard. 5.6 Financial estimates already made: (See details under paragraph 7.7.2.) 1. UNESCO - Mission Report 26-30 April 2004. Estimated cost US$ 4,044,544 (overall assessment) 2. COE - PTA Report on the Religious Buildings/ Ensembles and Cultural Sites damaged in March 2004 in Kosovo - 24.05.2004, AT04 171 rev. Cost Assessment: 55,000 Euros (urgent interventions only) 6. Scope of the PTA 6.1 Extent/Nature of the assessment: Persons involved in PTA: Prof. Alkiviades Prepis, Architect, Greece, CoE expert. Zoran Garić, Architect Conservator, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, Cultural Heritage Office – Leposavić. Jovica Lukić, Architect Conservator, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, Cultural Heritage Office – Leposavić. Svetlana Hadžić, Archaeologist Conservator, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, Cultural Heritage Office– Leposavić. Filip Gorgijev, Painter Conservator; Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, Cultural Heritage Office– Leposavić. Nenad Trajković, Architect Conservator, CCK. Aleksandra Fulgosi, Architect Conservator, CCK. Borislav Surdić, IRPP/SAAH Project Co-ordinator, Ministry of Culture, Serbia. The field work was prepared by Zoran Garić, Jovica Lukić and Filip Gorgijev, from The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, Cultural Heritage Office – Leposavić, Nenad Trajkovic and Aleksandra Fulgosi from CCK, Belgrade. Time spent: 2 days on site plus 8 days’ group work in the office (documentation / research / translation work). 6.2 Limitations of the study: Insufficient accessibility to the location, due to security reasons (location is not secured by KFOR). Technical documentation is stored in the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments in Prizren (IPMG). These documents are not always accessible. Photographing is possible only to a height of 2 metres. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 6 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. The PTA 7.1 Background: Form, Function and Evolution 7.1.1 Summary description of the site The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviška) is situated in the historical centre of the city of Prizren and is one of few remaining urban churches. In the first half of 13th century King Milutin undertook to restore a previously caved-in Byzantine tri-nave basilica, making an additional construction and thus made his own Cathedral Church legacy. The new church was built by interchanging layers of ashlar stone in lime and brick, with a lot of monofor, biforae, and triforiae, which furnish a remarkable image of embroidered façade of a five-domed construction. In the central nave, beside the lateral surrounding naves, two lines of brick pillars carry the semi-cylindrical covering and form a five-domed church of the cross-in-square type. In front of the church, an exonarthex with an upper-floor (katechumens) and a tall belltower were additionally built. This in-addition construction of the church, having not been fully explored yet, gave birth to a harmonious, impressive and unique architecture. The church was fresco-painted in two occasions: in 1220 and mainly during 1307-1313. Besides the exceptional frescoes, the church contains, also, simple, bas-relief profiles on the portal and on the biforae capitals in the church naos. The façades are richly decorated by ceramoplastics and inscriptions in brick. Regretfully, in addition to the Holy Virgin Ljeviška, the historical area of Prizren was badly damaged and burnt on 17 March 2004. 7.1.2 Summary historic development and evolution of the site At the place of the current Holy Virgin Ljeviška Church, there used to be an Early Christian basilica, which hosted the seat of Prizren Episcopate in 1019. The Episcopate was promoted to Metropolitan rank in 1346. This basilica perished in late 12th century, when Stefan Nemanja liberated Prizren. During the rule of Stefan Prvovenčani (The Firstly Christened), between 1214 and 1220, the church was renewed and received changes, when it was frescopainted following the tradition of the Byzantine Komnenian wall-painting school. The complete architectural and artistic expression of Holy Virgin Ljeviška was the result of the proto-masters Nikola and Astrapa, during the renovation and reconstruction in 1306–1307, in King Milutin’s reign, when the frescoes were painted once again in the style of the Palaiologus Renaissance in Constantinople. During the Turkish rule, in 1756, the church was transformed into a mosque and its bell tower - into a minaret. The façades and frescoes were covered by mortar and some spaces were blocked-up. Following the ultimate liberation of Prizren in 1912, the Holy Virgin Ljeviška was finally reunited with the Serbian Orthodox Church, and in 1923 the minaret was removed from the bell tower. The Office for Cultural Heritage Protection of the Republic of Serbia has regularly been monitoring the situation and carrying out the conservation works on the monument until 1999. Thereafter, the church was shut down and fenced by barbed wire. During the March 2004 riots, the unprotected church was devastated. The worst damages by fire were borne on bell tower, narthex and the interior frescoes, among which is one of the most prominent __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 7 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ pictures of the Holy Virgin with Child. During 2005 the lead cover was looted from the church roof. 7.2 Significance 7.2.1 Summary Statement of Significance/Historical and Heritage Patrimonial importance. The centuries-long tradition in construction and renewal serving churches over the foundations of older ones indicates the persistence and the profound spiritual beliefs of the people and the builders. The names such as the Cathedral – City - Episcopal Church, speak about the importance and significance of the church in Raška-Prizren Eparchy and therefore the monument has an important share in the history of Serbs, both in the spiritual and the cultural sense. Further to this, the church is also important for its wall-paintings and for its specific architectural-construction style - a combination of the Byzantine and the Raška architectural schools. The difficult times and the circumstances under which it had been built, its size and its symbolism make this church very important for the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian community in Prizren. It represents one of the main Serbian national and religious symbols in Prizren nowadays, and its renewal will encourage and animate the return of Serbs and other national minorities to Prizren Evaluation of the Significance: 7.2.2 Historical: 7.2.5 Religious/Spiritual: 7.2.6 Symbolic: 7.2.7 Scientific/Research: 7.2.8 Social/Civic: 7.2.10 Economic: 7.2.11 Character of significance: National National National, strong feeling of identity National National National (not applicable) National and International 7.3 Vulnerability/Risk assessment. The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviška) is endangered mainly because of political and ethnic reasons. The main threat to the Cathedral Church is a lack of security. There is also inevitable decay of the building through aging, exacerbated by pollution and climatic factors. 7.3.1. Natural Threats At present there is the risk caused by climatic factors (humidity, frost, rain, wind and sun), which has led to the decay of the fabric. 7.3.2. Development – Demographic Growth Since 1999 the Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church have been driven away from Prizren and conditions have not still been created for their return. Restoration and rehabilitation of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviška) Cathedral Church would encourage the return of Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Prizren. 7.3.4. Lack of planning measures: Failure to introduce and implement planned measures will contribute to further deterioration and destruction of this very important church. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 8 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.3.5. The Impact of Social Unrest There is ongoing threat of vandalism and the church destruction in the future. 7.3.9. Lack of maintenance Due to lack of maintenance, the church is in a worrying condition now. It is necessary to provide conditions for the Serbian Orthodox Church to reestablish a regular use of the facility. 7.3.10. Lack of administration and legislation Lack of legislation on cultural heritage in Kosovo. Neither the PISG nor the institutions in Kosovo are monitoring this church. Maintenance of the church is a responsibility of the owner only. 7.3.12. Ownership and Occupation Owner (Serbian Orthodox Church) is absent. 7.3.13. Function The religious building has no function at present. 7.3.14. Resources Due to lack of technically unqualified staff in PISG and the lack of financial resources for conservation, reconstruction and maintenance, the monument is decaying and going into oblivion. 7.4 Technical Conditions The church is in a very bad condition. The church was looted and devastated in 1999. The parish house and an ancillary facility were burnt down and completely destroyed. The churchyard was transformed into a dumping yard. During the March 2004 riots, the church was looted, , burnt and devastated. The interior of the church and the fresco paintings are mostly destroyed. Up to approximately 2 meters high, the frescoes and the interior wall surfaces are endangered by the presence of capillary humidity and dampness resulting from soaking of the wall surfaces. In places the wall-painting plaster has damaged by hammer blowing. It is necessary to perform works that will halt further deterioration of the fabric and will fully renew the church complex: conservation, restoration and partial reconstruction. Therefore, the proposed works can be carried out in three stages: 1. Urgent intervention measures; 2. Conservation - reconstruction and renewal of the church and the ancillary object; 3. Renewal of the parish house and the churchyard. 7.5 [Outline] Summary of Required Repairs It is necessary to perform the following activities that can be carried out in three stages: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 9 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.5.1. Urgent intervention measures consisting of: The church - clean debris from the interior of the church; - rehabilitate roof cover (lead tin) over the narthex, the naos and the lateral naves of the church; - rehabilitate bell construction to the bell tower; - make temporary protective construction (a platform) to the bell tower; - rehabilitate biforium pillar on the western façade of the bell tower; - reconstruct metallic windows to the biforium on the western façade of the bell tower; - rehabilitate biforium pillar to the western wall of naos; - repair openings and reconstruct wrought iron frames to exonarthex; - rehabilitate wooden lintel and install wooden doors to naos; - glaze windows in the domes, the altar, the northern and southern naves, and the catechumens to the bell tower; - edging and fixing the damaged and swelled-up fresco surfaces; - collect parts of damaged fresco mortar; - take samples of burnt material from where the fire was set. Ancillary facility (or guard house) - remove debris and the remnants of the burnt beams from the facility premises; - new wooden roof construction; - new wooden windows and door; - repair metallic bars to the arcs of the facility’s northern wall. Churchyard - remove debris and weeds from the churchyard; - shape the tree canopies to both northern and southern parts of the yard, remove moss and weed roots next to the church walls; - remove debris from the access lanes, the pavement, and the gutter around the church; - mount a new wooden entry door to the western part of the churchyard. Parish house - demolish the remaining walls, remove weed and debris. 7.5.2. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of the church and the ancillary facility The church - replace existing roof covering (galvanized tin) with a new lead tin cover on church domes; - mount metallic crosses on church domes; - reconstruct wooden platform in the gallery and the staircase in narthex; - rehabilitate and reconstruct the marble altar table; - rehabilitate the stone floor; - rehabilitate and reconstruct walls, arches, pillars, and the bell tower structure; - reconstruct wooden platforms and staircase to the bell tower in exonarthex; - mount doors in the northern and the southern catechumens of the bell tower; - remove moisture from the church; - rehabilitate the damaged non-frescoed wall surfaces in the interior of the church; - clean façades of soot, dust and vegetation; - rehabilitate and reconstruct the church façades; __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 10 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ - rehabilitate and reconstruct brick friezes and parts of stone relieves on the façades; - make protective constructions to the exonarthex lateral side entrances; - new installations (power installation, lightning-conduct, fire protection, video monitoring); - new functional and decorative illumination of the interior of the church; - conservation - restoration works for protection and presentation of the frescoes; - reconstruct the church movables. Ancillary facility (or guard house) - reconstruct ceiling and floor; plaster and colour interior wall surfaces; - reconstruct toilets; - clean façade of soot and dust, and conserve parts of the façade; - new installations (power installation, water supply, sewerage, lightningconduct, fire protection, video monitoring). 7.5.3. Reconstruction of the parish house and the church yard Parish house - reconstruct walls and roofing of the parish house; - reconstruct ceiling and floor; plaster and colour interior wall surfaces; - reconstruct toilets; - mount new wooden windows and doors; - new installations (power installation, water supply, sewerage, lightningconduct, fire protection, video monitoring). Churchyard - rehabilitate, reconstruct and conserve the fencing wall; - rebuild grating of the boundary wall; - rehabilitate and reconstruct the existing wooden doors to southern part; - reconstruct the access lanes and plateau around the church; - conserve existing gutter and make an additional drainage system around the church; - new church yard movables and functional and decorative illumination; - new plants and cultivation of the existing greenery. 7.6 Conservation/Rehabilitation Policy and Proposals 7.6.1 Summary of the Vision for the Site The Holy Virgin Cathedral ChurchЂорђе је у веома лошем стању. is to be restored and renewed in order to regain the status which it enjoyed before the arson attack. Its restitution under the administration of the Serbian Orthodox Church provides a possibility for continuity and restoration of the multinational environment in the area. The project is sustainable only if conditions are provided for the return of the Serbian Orthodox Church and displaced Serbs to Prizren. 7.6.2 Conservation Philosophy The renewal of The Holy Virgin Cathedral Church has to be performed with simultaneous preservation of the construction authenticity and the use of adequate materials that were originally used in the construction. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 11 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.6.3 Level of Intervention It is necessary to perform works that will stop further deterioration of buildings in the Cathedral ensemble, provide full sanitation and restoration of the Church, and perform works that will completely renew Church complex. Thus the proposed activities can be carried out in three stages: 1. Urgent intervention measures; 2. Conservation - reconstruction and renewal of the church and the ancillary facility; 3. Renewal of the parochial lodge and the church yard. 7.6.4 Preliminary Proposals for Appropriate Uses The importance of the church complex renewal is fundamental to its return to the condition previous to 1999, to meet the needs of the wider Orthodox community. 7.6.5 Opportunities for Social Uses and Sustainable Development The rehabilitation of The Holy Virgin Cathedral Church would encourage the return of Serbs who have fled and who have been driven out of Prizren and the wider area. Additionally, that will give an impetus for taking protective measures for rehabilitation of the entire urban complex of Prizren centre and its integration with neighbouring zones, which were also damaged during the March 2004 riots. 7.6.6 Broad Assessment of Priorities A detailed assessment of priority works on the church is given in Item 7.5. 7.6.7 Public Access Public access to the Church should be possible in its technical sense. It is necessary to enable The Serbian Orthodox Church to control the access. 7.6.8 Other Benefits Since the Church will serve for religion and culture, no high material benefits should be expected. 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. Cost assessment of the project can be realised in three stages: 1. Urgent – intervention measures of protection - Church architecture 400,000 EUR - Fresco-painting 200,000 EUR - Ancillary facility 10,000 EUR - Church yard 15,000 EUR - Parish house 10,000 EUR Estimated cost 635,000 EUR 2. Rehabilitation of the church and reconstruction-conservation of the ancillary facility - Church rehabilitation 600,000 EUR - Fresco conservation 1,400,000 EUR __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 12 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ - Ancillary facility renovation Estimated cost 45,000 EUR 2,045,000 EUR 3. Parish house and church yard reconstruction - Parish house reconstruction 90,000 EUR - Church yard re-arrangement 10,000 EUR Estimated cost 100,000 EUR Costs of the project documentation compilation a) Bell tower, platform and the bell tower staircase reconstruction project b) Gallery construction and narthex staircase reconstruction project c) Reconstruction and restoration of façades and stone relieves project f) Conservation, restoration, and fresco presentation project g) Functional and decorative illumination project h) Church yard arrangement project i) Ancillary facility reconstruction project j) Parish house reconstruction project k) Traffic regulation and rehabilitation of the church area buffer zone project. Estimated cost: 150,000 EUR Additional research costs а) Inspection of the static stability of the bell tower; b) Physical and chemical research of the fresco mortar. Estimated cost: 30,000 EUR Grand total amount for the realisation of the above given stages is estimated to 2,960,000 EUR 7.7.2 Assessment of possibilities for attracting investments Financial estimates already made: 1. UNESCO - Mission Report 26-30 April 2004. Recommendation for emergency intervention/preventive conservation a) Architectural restoration measures needed i) Preparatory phase – Static analysis of the condition of the church structure, with special attention to certain fire-damaged parts (the bell tower, narthex, etc); – Implementation of the structural restoration work. Important note Implementation of this phase is a matter of urgency and it is therefore recommended that this phase should be completed before the onset of winter to prevent further deterioration of the wall paintings and the Church building. ii) Second-phase restoration work – Preparation of the preliminary design for the architectural restoration work should provide for the following: – Replacement of the entire roof covering; – Covering of the entire roof with lead; – Restoration or replacement of the windows on the pendentives of the domes; – Restoration of the entrance area; – Reconstruction of the main entrance door; – Restoration of the floor structure damaged by the fire; – Restoration of the windows in the lower part of the building; – Restoration of the enclosure walls around the Church; – Preparation of the main design for the architectural restoration project; __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 13 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ – Implementation of the restoration project including constant supervision of the restoration work. Important note During the restoration and structural renovation works, special attention should be paid to protection of the wall paintings in order to avoid further damage. b) Measures required for restoration of the wall paintings i) Preparatory phase – Collect and store the fresco fragments fallen from the Virgin and Child painting in the southern nave; protect the painted surfaces in the exonarthex by means of glued gauzes and props if necessary; consolidate the painted layer in the narthex, especially at the detached edges; – Preparation of the detailed plan for the restoration of the wall paintings. ii) Restoration of the entire surface of the wall paintings – Restoration of the paintings damaged in the central and southern naves and in the narthex, upon completion of the detailed design. Estimated cost US$ 4,044,544, including preparation of the documentation and implementation of the emergency works as well as the restoration work. 2. COE - Preliminary Technical Assessment Report on the Religious Buildings/ Ensembles and Cultural Sites damaged in March 2004 in Kosovo - 24.05.2004, AT04 171 rev. Proposals 1.0 URGENT 1.1. Consolidation of the static behaviour of the two biforia supports: 1.1.1 Western façade, on the bell-tower, over the main entrance: replacement of the existing stone column or temporary propping. Repairs to the masonry. Adding metallic rain-water pipes on the roofing. 1.1.2 Over the internal western entrance: fix two stainless steel rings on the column and replace the timber beam. Estimated cost: 10,000 Euros 1.2. 1.3. 1.3.1. 1.3.2. 1.3.3. 1.3.4. Consolidation of the wall-paintings detached from the surface of wall masonry. Secure site. Robust grating, secure openings of porch and windows. Robust gates on main entrances and on the access to the bell-tower. Install fire alarm. Block build boundary wall with grating. Estimated cost: 45,000 Euros 2.0 2.1 2.2 Medium term Study for the conservation and restoration of the frescoes (Estimated time: at least 5 years of intensive work, for 5 restorers) An integrated study on the monument, including: ƒ Architectural study (including detailed survey of the existing condition of the monument) for its rehabilitation as a living monument. ƒ Specialised study on its static behaviour, taking into consideration the seismic risks of the area. ƒ Management study for the establishment of an active protective buffer zone around the monument. It should take under consideration the existing perimeter estates of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as the repairing of the initial priest’s house. Since the monument exists within an environment with difficult problems of living conditions __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 14 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ and traffic, the Management Study should be made within the frames of a New General Master Plan for the protection and rehabilitation of the traditional core of the city of Prizren, - and 22-26.06.2004, AT04 245 rev. Technical condition and outline summary of required repairs (without costing estimates) Immediate action Most of the masonry used in the building appears to be porous limestone interleaved with bands of brick. The arches are in brick with thick mortar joints. Generally both the stone and brick materials are relatively undamaged by the heat of the fire. - Bells; - Bell tower upper levels; - Bell tower biforium column; - Exonarthex; - Interior of the church. Medium-term action - Exonarthex; - Roof to church and narthex. 7.7.3 Assessment of possibilities for recovering investments No official assessment has been done. 7.7.4 Have you already tried to raise funds for this site or monument? No. 7.7.5 Have you already received funds for this site or monument? No. 7.8 Management The Council of Europe should lead the project for the restoration of the Church of St. Nicholas. The Council of Europe should provide for the participation of Serb experts during this process. The project should acquire the approval of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Realisation of the project should be facilitated by UNMIK and KFOR and the supervision should be done by the Council of Europe and the Serbian Orthodox Church. Renewed facilities should be administered by the Serbian Orthodox Church. KFOR and UNMIK must guarantee the safety of the Church of St. Nicholas, until conditions in Kosovo become completely stabilised. The management structure and procedure and shared responsibilities should be established on the basis of a feasibility study. The drawing up of such a study should be guided by the Council of Europe, and approved, both at the level of authorities, as well as at the local level. 8. Documentation Documentation available upon request. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 15 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. Feasibility Studies For the reconstruction of The Holy Virgin Cathedral Church a feasibility study should be made. Some of the components of such a study have already been mentioned above, such as: - in-depth assessments of the damage and needed interventions for the restoration of the monument; - inspection and examination of the static stability of the construction. This involves experts on the architecture restoration, conservation, infrastructure, site management, economy etc. static, wall-painting In order to continue with a feasibility study, the crucial step should be a political codecision at all levels of authority, based on expert assessments and statements. International expert assistance should be welcomed. PTA carried out by: Zoran Garić, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, Cultural Heritage Office – Leposavić. Nenad Trajković, CCK. Aleksandra Fulgosi, CCK. Alkiviades Prepis, Greece, CoE expert. Sign and date: April 2006. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007 Preliminary Technical Assessment of the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage in South East Europe 16 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ APPENDIX __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Cathedral Church of The Holy Virgin (Ljeviska) – Prizren – Kosovo/UNMIK 29 January 2007