2025 Bulgaria & Serbia: Fresco Hunting Photo Research Expedition of Medieval Balkan Churches

Location: Sofia Bulgaria

Season: May 24, 2025 to June 7, 2025

Session Dates: Single Session

Application Deadline: May 18, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.fieldsciences.org/program/2025-bulgaria-serbia-fresco-hunting/

Discount for AIA members: None

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Center for Field Sciences & Balkan Heritage Foundation

Project Director:
Dr. Vassil Tenekedjiev (Varna Regional Museum of History) & Mr. Ivan Vasilev (President of the Balkan Heritage Foundation)

Project Description:

Between the 14th & 17th centuries CE, the Balkans experienced troubling, violent times. The Byzantine Empire, the Second Bulgarian Empire and the Serbian Empire collapsed in the 15th century, and the Ottoman Empire conquered Southeastern Europe. The many wars, and the accompanying social and political upheavals, had a direct impact on the expression of Christian Orthodox practice and iconography. During this Late Medieval period, Christian Orthodox structures were built to attract the least attention, with humble architecture on the outside, but with exquisite frescos inside.

In the past 100 years, many of these structures were abandoned and fell into misuse and disrepair. Some have been looted – first during the Ottoman Empire by either Muslim Turks or superstitious local Christians – and then by modern looters and vandals. Many structures are collapsing due to the impact of weather and lack of maintenance. These important cultural heritage monuments are disappearing. This program is part of a long term project to document these Christian Orthodox structures and preserve their heritage for future generations – in photographic and digital format at a minimum and raise public awareness of state recognition and legal preservation when possible.

The Fresco-Hunting Photo Research Expedition systematically documents abandoned medieval churches and chapels – and their frescos – in western Bulgaria and Serbia. Students will take part in this process and will gain context and understanding of Christian Orthodox iconography through visitation to several churches, monasteries, museums, and archaeological sites in these two countries. Thus far, the Fresco-Hunting Photo Research Expedition has been successful in raising public awareness and three sites have now been formally designated as official state monuments and protected under the law – Balsha, Kalotina, and Zimevitsa. In 2017, the Balkan Heritage Foundation issued the first e-book dedicated to one of the churches – the 17th century church St. Thedore Tyro in Zimevitsa. We are now working, and students in this program will take part in collecting more data for the publication of more of these churches and chapels.

Period(s) of Occupation: Medieval Period

Notes:
Tuition cost is $3,050; Program awards 4 semester credit units (equivalent to 6 quarter credits units) through our school of record – Culver-Stockton College

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full session

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Experience Required: There are no prerequisites for participation in this field school. Note that this program requires long walks and long periods of documentation where students stand on their feet. You must be physically fit to move around in the heat and humidity throughout the day. Students will be taught how to use a variety of photography procedures and equipment -- work is slow and may be tedious. It requires patience and focus.

Room and Board Arrangements:
We will stay at the Hotel Zheravna in Bankya in Sofia metropolitan area & and Hotel Happy in Dimitrovgrad, Serbia. The rooms have two to three beds, bathrooms with showers, WC, TV, and free Wi-Fi. Three meals per day are provided by the program. Meals usually take place in the hotel restaurant, except the brown-bag lunches, when we are visiting sites across western Bulgaria and Serbia. This program can accommodate vegetarian diets.

Academic Credit:
Program awards 4 semester credit units (equivalent to 6 quarter credits units) through our school of record – Culver-Stockton College