Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov and State Secretary Marija S. Gjorgova visited the “Treskavec” monastery complex in Prilep today, announcing the upcoming conservation and restoration project for the church “Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God.” This project follows the reconstruction of burned-down lodgings and the return of the monastic brotherhood after more than a decade.

Ljutkov stated that the government and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism are undertaking this capital project at the Macedonian spiritual center. The basic project, which includes rehabilitation, structural consolidation, moisture removal, and floor reconstruction, is nearing completion. He anticipates securing all necessary permits soon, allowing the project to commence with an initial allocation of 4 million denars. Plans for painting conservation within the church are scheduled for 2026.

This complex project will involve collaborative efforts from experts at the Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments and Museum – Prilep, the European Center for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments from Thessaloniki, Republic of Greece, the Institute and Museum – Bitola, the National Conservation Center, IZIS, and the Faculty of Civil Engineering – Skopje. Ljutkov expressed his gratitude to all participants, including experts from Greece who visited Treskavec to assess the project’s progress.

Earlier, Ljutkov also visited the church “St. Blagovestenie” and the archaeological site “Stibera”. He noted that the conservation and restoration of the church “St. Blagovestenie” is expected to be finished by the end of the year, including structural strengthening of the iconostasis and carving conservation, with 2.1 million denars allocated. Activities for the maintenance and tourist promotion of the archaeological site “Stibera” are ongoing, with further archaeological research planned for late August.

Regarding the “Marko Cepenkov” Center for Culture, the minister assured that the remarks from the State Institute for Protection and Rescue will be addressed promptly to restore the building’s functionality.