The Assumption of Holy Mary Temple in Petrich

The Assumption of Holy Mary Temple is the first Christian temple constructed in Petrich during the National Revival Period. The temple was built in 1857, according to a sultan’s royal. The best masters from Debar and Petrich were called for the construction. The entire population of Petrich took a voluntary part in the construction, as the stones were carried by hand from the town’s river, and the marble plates were carried from the Kozhuh district, where the antique town Petra once erected. The Assumption of Holy Mary Temple is a big stone building, with approximate dimensions of 24 to 17.5 m, and 7.5 m in height. In 1922 the narthex was closed and turned into two small administrative premises. According to the wall painting above the western door the temple was wall-painted in 1871 by the brothers from Debar Hristo, Isakii and Kuzman Makarievi. In 1975 the Assumption of Holy Mary Temple was declared a monument of culture of national importance. In 1981 a museum collection of 100 icons was opened in the museum. But in 1987 a fire devastated the temple. Only the wall paintings outside the narthex were saved.

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