The Historical Museum in Chiprovtsi preserves and showcases Orthodox ecclesiastical art. The exhibition hall features icons, friezes from iconostases, copies of frescoes, church furnishings such as candlesticks and oil lamps, liturgical books, and more.
The displayed icons originate from the Ossuary Tower of the Chiprovtsi Monastery “St. Ivan Rilski,” the churches “Ascension of Christ” in Chiprovtsi, and those in the villages of Prevala and Gorna Luka, as well as “St. Petka” in the village of Chelyustnitsa and “Holy Trinity” in the village of Beli Mel. These icons date back to the 19th century, with some inscriptions indicating the month and year of their creation. Several of the museum’s collection of Revival-period icons are signed by iconographers such as Dananil (Danil) from Štip, the brothers Tsanyo and Ivan from Tryavna, Daskal Dimitar from Tryavna, Georgi Tikhov from Gabrovo, and Priest Kosta. Some also feature inscriptions (or fragments thereof) with the names of their benefactors.
Compositionally, the icons consist of a central field depicting the images of Christ Pantocrator, the Holy Mother of God, and various saints, as well as scenes from their lives, all framed by one or more borders. In some cases, these borders are simple lines, while in others, they include decorations such as columns, arches, and gilded floral motifs. The figures captivate with their unique blend of canonical representation and soft, pure lines, exuding beauty and spirituality. The colours are vivid and full of life.
A significant portion of the icons underwent restoration and conservation at the workshop of the National Institute for Cultural Monuments in Sofia between 1983 and 1988.
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Редактор Едно
Биляна Котева
Maria
Български
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