АРХЕОЛОШКИ ЛОКАЛИТЕТ „МАЛ КАЈАСИ“ – С. БАНСКО, СТРУМИЧКО (Археолошки истражувања и конзервација на средновековната црква)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE “MAL KAYASI” – VILLAGE OF BANSKO, STRUMICA AREA (Archaeological excavations and conservation of a medieval church)

Summary/Abstract: The archeological site ,,Mal Kayasi“ is located in the area of the village Bansko. It is a Late Antique fortification that was also operational during the Middle Ages. The fortress is located on one of the protruding hills on Mount Belasica, about 0,7 km southwest of the Roman Thermal spa. Some authors, here locates the Termica fortress (Θερμιτζα), which is mentioned in the chronicles of John Skylitzes, as one of the most important fortresses used by Tsar Samuel in the Strumica area. The first archaeological excavations were conducted during 2017, and then during 2019. A small part of the northwestern side of the acropolis was uncovered, where the late Antique fortress is located, as well as a single-nave church, which is located about 70 meters south of the fortress. According to the primary knowledge, this sacral building was built in the 12th–13th century and existed, probably until the Ottoman conquests of this area. It is built of slabs of stone, and lime mortar is used as a binder. The church was covered with frescoes. Two layers of frescoes have been found. A small single-nave church was built for the spiritual needs of the crew in the medieval fortress, or it was part of a small monastery complex.

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