Psača Monastery
| Psača Monastery Псача манастир | |
|---|---|
|
The endowers composition in Psača | |
| Basic information | |
| Location | village Psača, Kriva Palanka, Macedonia |
| Affiliation | Macedonian Orthodox Church (Eastern Orthodox Church) |
| District | Psača |
| Year consecrated | 14th century |
| Architectural description | |
| Specifications | |
Psača Monastery is an Orthodox Christian Monastery in in the village of Psača, Republic of Macedonia. It was built by savastokrator Vlatko and his father duke Paskač around 1354.
The monastery, dedicated to St Nicholas the Wonderworker, lies at the end of the village of Psača, 3 km from the Kumanovo – Kriva Palanka road, in Rankovce municipality. It belongs to the diocese of Osogovo-Kumanovo of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
History
The monastery church, the only remaining part of the original monastic complex, was erected around 1354 by sevastokrator Vlatko and his father grand duke Paskač, nobles of the Serbian Empire. A few years later, in 1358, Vlatko donated his monastery to Chilandar, Serbian monastery on Mount Athos.[1]
Architecture
The church is in form of an elongated cross in square with a narthex built at the same time. It originally had two domes (following the example of Lesnovo monastery), but the one above the nave collapsed at some point in its history, leaving the central part of the church uncovered. In 19th century the church was repaired but the missing dome was never rebuilt.[2] The outer decoration is in alternate layers of bricks and stone with several double bay windows and some rustic sculpture. The original dedication of the church was inscribed in stone above the entrance but was destroyed during Bulgarian occupation of Macedonia in World War One since it mentioned Emperor Uroš and King Vukašin as Serbian rulers.
Fresco Painting
The fresco decoration in Psača ranks among the best of mid 14th century. It was executed sometime between 1366 and 1371. On the south wall of the narthex we see the endowers composition with old Paskač and his wife Ozra paired with Vlatko – holding a model of church in hand - and his wife Vladislava. In front of them stand their children (grandchildren) Stefan, Uroš and Uglješa, while above them is the icon of St Nicholas to whom the church and monastery were dedicated.
Facing this composition the artists painted young Emperor Uroš and – on his left – his co-ruler and designated heir, King Vukašin of the Mrnjavčević family. These are the best representations of these important historical figures. Both the portraits of the rulers and those of nobleman with their families are of great importance in studies of medieval costumes. Unfortunately, the inscriptions by the portraits have all been destroyed by the Bulgarians during their occupation in World War One. The eyes of King Vukašin and Emperor Uroš were also scratched during the same period.[3]
The depictions of saints are done in strong colors, with lots of attention payed to psychological portraying.[4] There is a cycle on St Nicholas and a composition Death of Mother of God, while in the apse is the customary Communion of the Apostles with Church Fathers underneath it.[5]
Some of the frescoes were rebrushed in 19th century.
References
- ↑ http://www.panacomp.net/macedonia?s=makedonija-psaca
- ↑ St Nicholas the Wonderworker – Psacha, http://koe.mk/en/sv-nikolaj-cudotvorec-psaca/
- ↑ С. Радојчић, Портрети српских владара у Средњем веку, Београд 1996, стр. 200-201
- ↑ В. Ј. Ђурић, Г. Бабић-Ђорђевић, Српска уметност у Средњем веку II, Београд 1997, стр. 77
- ↑ Манастир на свети Никола, с. Псача, http://www.mpc.org.mk/MPC/psacha.asp