Original paper
Rock-hewn churches near the village of Ivanovo, NE Bulgaria: cultural value and geoconservation problems
Kostov, Konstantin
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplementary Issues Volume 62 Supplementary Issue 3 (2021), p. 255 - 263
published: Mar 12, 2021
DOI: 10.1127/zfg_suppl/2021/0697
ArtNo. ESP023106203016, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
The rock-hewn churches near the village of Ivanovo (XII–XIV centuries) are one of the Bulgarian cultural monuments protected by UNESCO. They are an important part of the medieval historical and cultural heritage in Europe. The complex consists of churches, chapels and monk cells, carved in the vertical rocks of the Roussenski Lom River canyon, NE Bulgaria. In five of the churches there are remnants of unique frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries. For the most part, the wall paintings are multifigurative compositions made in a light color scheme. The rock-hewn churches near the village of Ivanovo are included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979. The problems associated with their geoconversion are related to the exogenous geomorphological processes (weathering, erosion), fracturing, moisture, karst processes and the seismic impact of strong earthquakes. A good solution for the near future is the installation of extensometers for regular monitoring of the micro-tectonic movements along the faults in the area of the monument.
Keywords
Ivanovo rock-hewn churches • cultural heritage • geological hazards • earthquakes • UNESCO • Bulgaria