Monastery of Lesnovo (Lesnovo)

 monastery, orthodox christianity

The Monastery of Lesnovo is one of the most significant religious and cultural centers in Eastern Macedonia, with a long history that probably begins in the 11th - 12th century. Restored in the second quarter of the 14th century, by building a monumental sanctuary of Archangel Michael (1341/1349 c.) and painting its interior, (1346/47 and after 1349) and bestowed with many assets, the monastery is the biggest memorial commissioned by a nobleman (Lord Jovan Oliver) from the period of the expansion of the Serbian monarchy in the middle ages (King Stefan Dušan). The other buildings in the complex (lodging-houses, bell tower, school, wood-carved iconostasis of the church), erected much later (19th century), illustrate the contribution of the local community and monastic brotherhood in providing continuity of this spiritual and enlightened centre. The previous conservation activities were focused on the church and its fresco paintings. Nevertheless, it seems that the inadequate conservation approach when the roof cover was installed initiated a deterioration process of the fresco paintings.