Современата состојба на преродбенските базилики во Македонија: предизвици и дилеми
Contemporary state of the revival basilicas in Macedonia: challenges and dilemmas

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Summary/Abstract: The churches built on the territory of Macedonia during the 19th century Revival represent a typologically distinct group of monuments, built in very specific temporal, political and economic conditions. It is of particular importance to shift the focus towards this specific architecture because of the alarming state of preservation in which many of these churches can currently be found. Of course, the insufficient institutional care, despite the fact that they represent the largest group of religious monuments in Macedonia (with the exception of contemporary churches), that is, the serious lack of legal protection and, consequently, the lack of science based expert conservation and restoration interventions to a large extent affect their condition. In addition to these institutional deficiencies, the Revival basilicas face a multitude of other threats of a different nature, which can be broadly divided into two categories: internal (immanent) and external (exogenous) factors. The internal threats derive from the weaknesses of the architecture itself and the selected mixed construction system. Unlike the immanent, the external threats faced by the Revival basilicas do not depend on themselves, but arise from the environment in which they are located. On the one hand, natural factors have a strong influence (such as the harsh climate, seismic activity, etc.), but also those of a social nature, i.e. the result of a direct and strong human influence. In that direction, it can be said that the human influence on the Revival sacral architecture varies between two extremes, both unfavorable for its condition. One extreme is the total loss of those churches built in villages today largely or completely abandoned. The other extreme is characteristic for the churches in active and economically well off villages and towns, where they function within the framework of organized church boards. Poorly and unprofessionally performed interventions, additions, reconstructions, etc. abound in these churches, which often violate the integrity and authenticity of the buildings themselves. In fact, there is an evident and elementary lack of education among the local population and the church regarding the values of this heritage and the need for its proper maintenance and protection. Taking into account all the above, it is clear that the Revival basilicas can and should be considered as significant cultural heritage. The ultimate goal of conservation science is not to preserve the material in itself, but to maintain (and shape) precisely the values that the cultural heritage contains and transmits, physical protection being only one method towards achieving that goal.

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