NISTROVO
NISTROVO, Municipality of Mavrovo and Rostuša
Ascension of Christ , Village of Nistrovo
Registration / 4-807-057/29 | E-ND /
Coordinates:41°44′00″ N - 20°37′56″ E
Date of Construction: 1860
Architectural Description
The Church of St. Spas in the village of Nistrovo is a single-nave structure featuring a tall, five-sided apse on its eastern end. The church was constructed using crushed stone, while dressed (hewn) stone was utilized for the corners, the cornice of the gable roof, the window frames, and the semi-circular portal with a lunette on its western facade. Four rectangular windows line the southern wall.
In the lunette above the western portal — distinguished by a pointed Islamic-style arch — a fresco depiction of the patron scene, the Ascension of Christ, was painted during the period of the church's construction (Icon Reg. Nos. 9284, 9281). Standing adjacent to the church on its western side is a massive octagonal bell tower built of crushed stone.
Interior, Iconostasis, and Frescoes
Inside the nave, the eastern end houses a three-tiered iconostasis topped with an iconostasis cross, while a western gallery featuring a wooden musharabiya (lattice screen) is set against the rear wall. Centrally located on the vault across its entire width is a shallow blind dome; four pendentives descend from it onto the engaged arches of the side walls. Fresco paintings are preserved exclusively within the blind dome of the nave.
At the apex of the dome, a round medallion encloses a waist-length iconographic representation of Jesus Christ Pantocrator, depicted blessing with both hands raised.
Before Him rest a sphere and an open Gospel book displaying the text: (AZ\ ESMAM/ PASTIRX/ DOBRXiI/ PASTIRX/ POLAGAu/ DY[Y ZA/ wVCE/ SVOXiH\). On the ring surrounding the medallion, the following text is inscribed: (GOSPODI GOSPODI PRIEDRI SNEBESE I VI@DX I POSV@TXi HRAM\ SEI).
Tambour & Pendentives
In the tambour, a decorative vine motif is painted, interwoven on all four sides with round medallions containing representations of: East: The Old Testament King and Prophet St. Solomon ((S!TXiI PRK CAR\ SOLOMON\)) holding an open scroll with the text: (SEI BwG NEBw I ZEMLA SOZDA), along with an unidentified saint holding an open scroll with the text: (wT^E wT^E KO.\ CAR IZRAILEVA I ..); South: The Old Testament King and Prophet St. David holding an open scroll with the text: (.I[Y D{Xi I VI@./ PRJSLONI UHO TVOE); West: An unidentified saint; North: An unidentified saint.
In the corners of the pendentives, the Four Evangelists are depicted holding open Gospels alongside their respective symbols (with transposed personifications):
Southeast: St. Matthew (depicted with the winged calf/ox) — (S!TXiI SV. MATtEJA).
Northeast: St. John (depicted with the eagle) — (SV. JwANN\.).
Northwest: St. Luke (depicted with the angel) — (S!TXiI SV. LYKA - PONE@E/ OUBO MNO/ ZI NA^A/ [A^INI/ TI POV]/ STw./ V]STVO/ VANI.\).
Southwest: St. Mark
Inscriptions and Artists
Between the southeastern and southwestern pendentives, an inscription records the construction year of the temple: (SEI HRAM SAZIDAN\ Y 1860 GODINA). On the opposite side, the fresco artist Ruse Krstić recorded his signature: (23 JYNA 1923 GOD. @IVOPISEC RYSE KRSTIЋ). An inscription above the western gallery reads: (ZA VREME ... ZYGRAFJE BIO SVE{. T. ЈOVANOVIЋ TUT. S. RAFAILOVIЋ).
The church's panel icons were created by multiple icon painters—some by unidentified artists (1856), and others by the icon painter Serafim Makrievich from Galičnik (1859).
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