Abstract
The church of St. Sophia in the town of Ohrid, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1980, is one of the oldest and, undoubtedly, one of the most significant protected monuments of culture in Macedonia. Since its “rediscovery” in the first decades of the 20th century, hundreds of publications have been devoted to the artistic heritage of Ohrid's cathedral, and to a lesser extent to its architecture and historical chronology. Nevertheless, the pioneer restoration project undertaken in the 1950s has not received sufficient scientific attention as yet. This research aims to address the then bold restoration methods and novel techniques in the most difficult of circumstances which, despite the transcribed period of more than sixty years, are as relevant to conservation science now as they have ever been.
TopBackground
Since its “rediscovery” in the first decades of the XX century, hundreds of publications have been devoted to the artistic heritage of Ohrid’s cathedral, and to a lesser extent to its architecture and historical chronology.1
Comparatively, a significant bibliography exists on the matter of conservation and restoration methods and techniques used in post-war Europe, as well as individual case-studies. Namely, the abundant conservation practices of the post-war period presented a shift from the previously predominant “restoration in style” to the principles of respect for historical authenticity of the monuments, enunciated by C. Boito. During this immense reconstruction undertaking, the conservators strove for protection and consolidation of historical architecture with the help of essential new additions, always distinguishable from the authentic structure; they applied ingenious contemporary construction techniques, while avoiding the alteration of the perceptible aspect of the monuments (Bighelli & Castelli, 1986, pp.187, 244-247). In particular, post-war restoration was characterized by the frequent use of contemporary materials such as cement and reinforced concrete for the consolidation of architectural heritage, usually as braces embedded in the historic masonry (Bruschi & Faccio, 2016).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Transitional Basilica: An architectural typology of a domed basilica, representing an evolutionary link between the three-nave basilica as an archaic church typology and a central or centralized solution, such as the inscribed cross.
Naos: The main part of a byzantine church, of diverse typology, situated between the narthex and the sanctuary.
Exonarthex: External, outer narthex or vestibule, usually erected to the west of the narthex.
Post-War: Period immediately after the Second World War, referring to the late 1940s and the 1950s.
Anastilosis: Restoration through reassembly of existing damaged, fallen, or deformed fragments.
Cement Milk Injection: Introduction of liquid cement to historic masonry by means of high pressure in order to increase its load-bearing capacity and structural stability.
Ohrid Archbishopric: One of the most important Eastern Orthodox Christian Episcopal seats, whose diocese spanned most of the Balkan Peninsula and lasted from 1018-1767.
Narthex: An annex built to the west of byzantine churches’ naos, as an entrance area.
Reinforced Concrete Cerclage: A structural reinforcement made of reinforced concrete as a means to strengthen a weak construction or fill-in missing fragments of a load-bearing element.