Closeup on the wall painting of King Marko showing his face.
This is definitely
the same face as the painting of King Marko at
the Monastery of the Archangel Michael outside of Markovi Kule in Prelip. There are
minor differences in the beards. The major difference is that the painting at the Monastery
of King Marko has a halo around the king's head.
We spent several hours (over 3 days) visiting and documenting
the monastery primarily because of this wall painting over the south entrance to the Church of
St. Demetrius. It shows King Marko and his father, King Volkashin. Yes, this is the same
King Marko who is associated with
Markovi Kule in Prelip
and
Markovi Kule on Mt. Vodno outside of Skopja. The highly significant wall painting
of King Marko and King Valkashin were rediscovered in 1964 during cleaning and
conservation.
The wall painting of King Marko.
Closeup of the large drinking horn carried in the
right hand of King Marko.
Closeup of the wallpainting of King Volkshin. Sadly,
it is not as well preserved as the painting of King Marko.
Wallpainting of St. Demetrius (below) and Christ (above)
from the south side of the church.
Closeup of the wallpainting of St. Demetrius
from the south side of the church.
Neathery Fuller and Damjan Donev examine
the north wall of the Church of St. Demetrius in the Monastery of King Marko.
The main entrance to
the Church of St. Demetrius is located on the west side of the building. A porch has
been extended on the west side to protect the wall painings over the west door.
The wall painting over the west entrance (main entrance)
of the Church of St. Demetrius shows the saint on horseback. Christ is shown blessing him.
St. Demetrius carries a battle mace and is
armed with a bow and quiver of arrows. Four angle fly in the heavens with his equipment (shield,
helmet, arming cap, etc.). Two saints stand as orans (hands raised in praise).
Angels carry the helmet and shield of St. Demetrius.
Angels carry the arming cap and other pieces of
equipment needed by St. Demetrius.
Detail of the horse bridle.
Damjan Donev reads the name of the figure painted
in the lower lefthand side of the wall painting as Nestor (who is named in the
The Passion (BHL 2122) and Miracles (BHL 2123) of St. Demetrius by Anastasius the Librarian.
This is not the famous Nestorius who was condemned by
the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, alas.
Click here to see images of the buildings that surround
the Church of St. Demetrius (within the monastery).
Click here to see images of the wallpainting with clues to
Medieval material culture in Macedonia during the 13th century AD.
Click here to see images of the wallpaintings of sacred importance
inside of the church of St. Demetrius (within the monastery).
Click here to see images of the objects in the interior of the
Church of St. Demetrius.