''Fresco-Hunting'' Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches

The Project and the Course

General Information  

Project Type: Field School & Research Expedition

Field School Dates: May 25 - June 07, 2026

About the Project: The "Fresco-Hunting" Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage in study and training while exploring and documenting understudied and/or abandoned medieval churches and chapels, along with their frescoes. The focus will be on documenting medieval ecclesiastical heritage in western Bulgaria and eastern Serbia. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit significant archaeological and historical sites in the region, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church in Bulgaria, as well as various monasteries, museums, and archaeological sites throughout Bulgaria and Serbia, including the Bulgarian capital city, Sofia.     

Participants will receive training in various skills, including survey management, digital photography, architectural surveys, iconographic programs, technical drawing, and the use of a dumpy level. They will learn to develop digital image archives and will receive a theoretical introduction to Byzantine art, architecture, and religious iconography, along with photographic techniques for documenting cultural heritage, such as photogrammetry and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI).

This field school is specifically designed for students and young specialists in heritage, archaeology, and conservation, as well as artists and art connoisseurs. However, it is open to anyone interested in medieval civilization in Southeastern Europe, particularly Byzantine and Christian Orthodox architecture, arts, and iconography from the late medieval period (13th to 17th centuries), digital photography, documentation of ecclesiastical architecture and frescoes, cultural heritage preservation, and travel to significant heritage sites in Bulgaria and Serbia.

Project Venue and Accommodation: Participants will stay consecutively at Hotel Central in downtown Sofia, Bulgaria and at Hotel Happy in the border town of Dimitrovgrad, Serbia. The ecclesiastical sites to be documented are situated within a radius of approximately 20 to 100 km (13 to 65 miles) from the project hotels. Travel arrangements will be coordinated by the Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS).

BHF Partner in This Project: New Bulgarian University and Center for Field Sciences

Director: Ivan Vasilev, CEO of the Balkan Heritage Foundation and medieval archaeologist

Field School & Expedition started in: 2008

Application Deadline: April 25, 2026   

Minimum Length of Stay: Two weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Project Language: English

Experience Required: All candidates should possess some familiarity with the basic principles of photography and DSLR cameras.

Special Considerations: This project is not recommended for individuals with health issues that may be exacerbated by intensive outdoor activities or those who have allergies to dust and mold.

Visa Note: Citizens of the EU, EEA, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand do not need entry visas for Bulgaria and Serbia. Those from countries not specified should check in advance if they require entry visas for either or both countries, and any associated costs will be the responsibility of the participants.

Special Requirements:

• Participants must inform the project staff in advance of any health issues, allergies, and food preferences.
• Participants are expected to bring a laptop with at least 50 GB of free disk space, a mouse, and a USB flash drive. The recommended operating system is Windows 10 or newer. While it is not required to bring a personal DSLR camera, doing so is recommended to enhance digital photography skills.
• The reimbursement payment will not cover insurance. Participants must arrange their own insurance prior to traveling to Bulgaria and Serbia. EU citizens can access Bulgarian medical services with proof of their home-country health insurance, such as a card or certificate, but this option does not extend to Serbia.
• Participants should pack clothing and toiletries suitable for a range of weather conditions, from warm and sunny to rainy, windy, and cold.
• Participants are expected to prepare for the expedition by reviewing the materials provided by the Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS) before the project begins.
• All participants will be required to release copyright of all graphic materials they create and contribute during the expedition (including maps, drawings, photographic images, etc.) to the Balkan Heritage Foundation for non-commercial use.

Historical Context & Period

The Late and Post Medieval period in the Balkans, spanning from the 13th to the 17th centuries, is characterized by significant historical events, including the decline of the Byzantine Empire, the rise and fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire, and the emergence of the Serbian Kingdom and Empire, culminating in the Ottoman conquest of Southeastern Europe and the peak of Ottoman power. During this tumultuous era, the Christian temples that participants in the field school will visit and study were built in a Balkan region where various builders and artisan guilds converged.   

Today, what remains of Christian medieval art in the area includes small chapels and churches that withstood the Ottoman invasions of the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as the subsequent wars and social and political upheavals. Many of these monuments display modest architectural styles, often hiding exquisite frescoes behind their unassuming exteriors. However, many have been abandoned for extended periods, suffering from visible damage due to past vandalism and ongoing decay from weather exposure and a lack of maintenance.

The Expedition

The "Fresco-Hunting" Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches and Chapels, organized by the Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF), began in 2008 as a combination of an international field school and a research expedition aimed at studying and documenting medieval ecclesiastical wall paintings in the Balkans. By 2009, the project's scope expanded to include the study and documentation (textual, graphic, photographic, and video) of not only the churches' wall paintings but also their architecture, historical and archaeological context, and the cultural values associated with them. Advocacy for the preservation of these monuments among local stakeholders became an integral part of the project, yet the team chose to retain the original project title.    

Since its beginning, the Expedition has been conducted annually for two to three weeks (with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic). The focus has primarily been on understudied and/or abandoned late medieval and post-medieval (14th – 17th centuries) Christian temples in the Nishava River Basin in Bulgaria and Serbia, as well as the Iskar River Gorge in Bulgaria. In recent years, specialists from Bulgaria, North Macedonia, the USA, Canada, and Japan, alongside students from around the globe, have contributed to enhancing and expanding the existing database of drawn and photographic records for over 30 monuments. The Expedition's ultimate goal is to publish a comprehensive corpus that encompasses more than 50 sites and to develop further projects aimed at supporting the most endangered among them through conservation, restoration, management improvement, and fundraising initiatives. 

So far, our efforts have successfully raised public awareness, resulting in the protection of some documented sites. One book and several articles represent the current outcomes of the Expedition. Unfortunately, many more churches remain in critical condition, awaiting either improved circumstances or further deterioration.

The project's foundation is based on education, research, and historic preservation, fostering a symbiotic relationship among researchers, conservators, students, and local communities.

The Team

• Ivan Vasilev, archaeologist, CEO of the Balkan Heritage Foundation and adjunct professor at New Bulgarian University
• Dr. Vassil Tenekedjiev, archaeologist, Varna Regional Museum of History, Bulgaria   
• Dr. Miglena Raykovska, Institute of Mathematics and Informatics - BAS, Bulgaria   
• Dr. George Bevan, Queens University, Canada

The Field School

In 2026, the project envisions expanding the database established during previous seasons by creating new records through the documentation of the architecture and frescoes (along with their condition) of at least six medieval Christian Orthodox chapels or small churches in Western Bulgaria and Eastern Serbia. Additionally, the project will focus on collecting new data regarding their history, artifacts, and surrounding environment.

All participants will receive:

• Access to project readings
• Balkan Heritage Field School Certificate specifying the fieldwork hours, educational modules, and sites visited
• T-shirt

The fieldwork activities include:

• Practicing fundamental survey and documentation techniques such as visual inspection, sketching, and taking measurements using laser devices, tapes, and dumpy levels.
• Creating technical drawings through both manual and digital methods.
• Capturing digital photographs, including orthophotography, for accurate documentation.
• Developing comprehensive records of ecclesiastical sites, incorporating textual descriptions, graphic illustrations, and photographic evidence.
• Conducting preliminary interpretation and identification of architectural styles, construction techniques, fresco iconography, and artistic styles related to the sites.

Lectures:

• Brief History of the Balkans: Covers the late medieval and postmedieval periods (13th–17th centuries).
• Introduction to Bulgarian History: Onsite at the National History Museum.
• Introduction to Orthodox Church Architecture
• Window to Heaven: the Orthodox Icon between Art and Theology -- onsite at the Museum of Christian Art, Sofia
• Shaping the Holy Space: Impact of the Liturgy on Orthodox Church Architecture, Interior Design and Arts
• Kingdom of Heaven on Earth: Who is Who in the Iconographic Program of the Late/Post Medieval Orthodox Churches in the Balkans
• Graphic & Photographic Documentation: Fieldwork practices.
• Advanced Photogrammetry & Imaging: Introduction to photogrammetry, RTI, and other digital documentation methods.
• History of Sofia: Onsite in Sofia.
• History & Art of Boyana Church: Onsite at Boyana Church.
• Life in Orthodox Monasteries: Onsite at Rila Monastery.
• History of Rila Monastery: Onsite at Rila Monastery.
• Basic Field Methods: Survey and documentation techniques for architecture and frescoes.

Workshops:

• Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) for advanced digital documentation.
• Technical drawing techniques for architectural, conservation, and art history records.
• Post-expedition work, including digital archiving of collected data.

On-site instructions:

• Maintaining and elaborating a Field Journal.
• Creating sketches and taking measurements.
• Digital photography for heritage documentation — techniques, timing, and best practices.
• Health and Safety guidelines during fieldwork.

Guided Tours:

• Sofia Downtown Walking Tour: Visit to the City Cathedral (Saint Alexander Nevsky, 1912), including the icons gallery in its crypt, Saint Sofia Church (6th century), Roman Serdica remains (2nd–6th centuries), Saint George Rotunda (300s CE), Banya Bashi Mosque (16th century), and Europe’s third-largest Jewish synagogue.
• Boyana church (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Sofia, Bulgaria
• Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bulgaria

Reading Background
   

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

• Chavrukov, G. Bulgarian monasteries. Septemvri Publishing House, Sofia. 1978
• Cormack, Robin. Byzantine Art (Oxford History of Art). Oxford University Press. 2000
• Crampton, R. J. A. Concise History of Bulgaria (Cambridge Concise Histories) - Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (2006)
• Gabov, Alexander and George Bevan. Recording the Weathering of Outdoor Stone Monuments Using Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI): The Case of the Guild of All Arts (Scarborough, Ontario).Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation (J. CAC), Volume 36, 2011
• Dorrell, P.G. Photography in Archaeology and Conservation. Cambridge University Press. 1994   
• Huntington, John C. Photography for Art Historical Field Research and Documentation
• Hupchick, D., Cox, Harold. Palgrave Concise Historical Atlas of the Balkans. Saint Martin’s Press Inc. 2001
• Langford, Michael. Basic Photography. Focal Press, Oxford, 2 edition (2000)
• Mango, Cyril. History of World Architecture: Byzantine Architecture. Rizzoli International Pub­lishing, New York. 1978.
• Mora. P., Laura Mora. Examination and Documentation. In: Conservation of Wall Paintings (Butterworth - Heinemann Series in Con­servation and Museology). Butterworth-Heinemann. 1984

   

     

• Raykovska, M., G. Bevan and I. Vasilev. The Integration of Different Computational Photographic Modalities in High-Accuracy 3D Building Models: The Case of the Church of St. Petka, Bulgaria – In: Virtual Archaeology (Methods and Benefits) Proceedings of the Second International Conference held at the State Hermitage Museum 1-3 June, 2015, Saint Petersburg, The State Hermitage Publishers, 2015; pp. 139-157 

     

• Safran, L (Editor). Heaven on Earth: Art and the Church in Byzantium. Pennsylvania State Uni­versity Press. 1998
  
• Tragido, Alfredo. Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church (Guide to Imagery Series). 2006.
• Warda Jeffrey (Editor). The AIC Guide to Digital Photography and Conservation Documentation, AIC 2011   

USEFUL LINKS:     

Iconography and Wall Paintings

• A Reader's Guide to Orthodox Icons - https://iconreader.wordpress.com   
• Fresco Painting an Orthodox Church - http://www.gsinai.com/fresco-painting-an-orthodox-church      
• Incident vs. Reflected Light. Types of camera metering – spot, matrix and center-weighted. Using a gray card to determine the exposure -http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-metering.htm
• Video Tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh_Fc4JKOBw

Understanding the Histogram

• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/histograms1.htm
  
• Video Tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZXijSwADkE

Understanding How a Camera Works

• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/compact-vs-digital-slr-cameras.htm

     

• https://www.jenreviews.com/dslr-camera/

• How autofocus in a camera works - http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-autofocus.htm

Camera Lenses: Focal Length and Aperture

• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm
  
• Using wide angle lenses - http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/wide-angle-lenses.htm
  
• Using telephoto lenses - http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/telephoto-lenses.htm
  
• Video Tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3A3SnPFPk0

Understanding How Depth of Field Works

• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm
• Video Tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34jkJoN8qOI

Choosing and Using a Tripod

• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-tripods.htm
• Video Tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyfKVpgSw_s

Color Temperature and White Balance

• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/white-balance.htm
  
• Video Tutorials:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HnhIRPLWsM

Light in Photography

• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/natural-light-photography.htm
• Video Tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xibyBYOu2hM

Digital Photography

• Understanding file formats: Jpeg and TIFF - http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/natural-light-photography.htm
  
• Understanding RAW file format - http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/RAW-file-format.htm
  
• Creating a panorama image – Video tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POnvTgZx2gI

Travel & Accommodation & Practicalities    

Travel

Recommended airport on arrival and departure: Vasil Levski Sofia Airport (SOF)

Where to Go: Please arrive by May 25, 2026, no later than 7:30 PM at Central Hotel, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Visa Requirements: Citizens of the EU, EEA, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria and Serbia. Citizens of all other countries may need a visa. The Balkan Heritage Foundation can provide an official invitation letter to facilitate the visa application process at the relevant embassy. For further details, please visit our visa information page. Bulgaria is a full member of the Schengen Area and part of this borderless zone, allowing people to travel between Bulgaria and other Schengen countries without passport checks at land borders. Holders of a valid Schengen visa issued by another Schengen country can enter Bulgaria using that visa.

Accommodation & Meals   

Accommodation: Participants will stay at Hotel Central, located in downtown Sofia, and Hotel Happy in Dimitrovgrad, Serbia. Rooms will accommodate two to three beds and feature bathrooms with showers, WC, TV, and Wi-Fi.

Hotel Central in Sofia is easily accessible by metro and taxi from Sofia Airport. Additionally, all participants will receive a complimentary drop-off transfer to Sofia Airport on the last day of the project.

Single rooms are available upon request for the duration of the field school at an additional cost of 700 EUR. Prices for extra nights in standard single rooms start from 85 EUR at Hotel Central and 65 EUR at Hotel Happy.

Meals: Three meals per day are included in the reimbursement payment. Meals are typically served in the hotel restaurant, except for brown-bag lunches provided when participants are on-site or during excursions. Requests for vegetarian and vegan options will be accommodated.

Participants are responsible for covering any costs related to additional days at the project hotels, single room accommodations, and any meals, beverages, services, or products not included in the project package.

  Free Time & Trips      

Sofia is a vibrant European capital that offers a diverse array of entertainment options, including spa services, sports, sightseeing, and shopping. For more information, visit: Sofia Guide. In Dimitrovgrad, participants can enjoy leisure activities such as hiking, sports, and sampling the local cuisine.

Trips: Guided visits will be organized for all field school participants, featuring tours of Sofia and its downtown attractions, as well as the Boyana Church (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Rila Monastery (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Bulgaria. Additionally, trips to the historical town of Pirot, along with visits to Poganovo Monastery, will be included and covered by the reimbursement payment.

Technicalities & Practicalities  

Insurance: The reimbursement payment does not cover medical costs. It is mandatory to arrange your own insurance before traveling to Bulgaria and Serbia. The insurance must cover the following risks: medical treatment in case of an accident or disease and costs related to evacuation and repatriation.

Weather: The area of the expedition is characterized by a moderate continental climate influenced by the surrounding mountains. Spring is typically refreshing and rainy (12-25°C or 56-77°F), but weather from May to early June can be unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from cool to hot (up to 30-35°C or 86-95°F).

What to Bring?

• Work Shoes and Clothing: Bring suitable work shoes and clothing for outdoor tasks, considering the diverse weather conditions (ranging from rainy and cool to sunny and warm). Don’t forget a raincoat and sunscreen. A pair of comfortable hiking shoes is essential, and long pants are recommended to protect against potentially irritating plants, insects, and reptiles. You may also be asked to help carry some of the project equipment.
• Medication: Bring only the prescription medications you may need, as non-prescription medications can be easily purchased in Bulgaria and Serbia. Ensure all your medication is in your carry-on luggage while traveling.
• Equipment and Tools: Participants are required to bring a laptop with at least 50 GB of free disk space, a mouse, and a USB flash drive. The recommended operating system is Windows 10 or newer. Drawing or measuring supplies will be provided by the field school.
• Camera: For those wishing to bring their own cameras, we recommend a high-resolution digital photo camera with a higher ISO and optical stabilization, as working conditions can be challenging with low light and humid, moldy environments. The Balkan Heritage Field School has floodlights, but they are only usable when electricity is available.
• E-SIM or Data Roaming: We strongly recommend that participants purchase an e-SIM card with mobile internet tailored to their personal needs while in Bulgaria and Serbia, unless they have coverage through their data roaming plan. While the hotels provide internet access, we cannot guarantee its quality or reliability, which may include interruptions, excessive network load, or potential server issues.

Additional Items:

• A wide-brimmed hat
• A small backpack for your water bottle, snacks, camera, etc.
• A converter for EU-type electrical sockets
• A positive attitude for work, fun, study, and discoveries!

The Cost

All field schools are organized as non-profit initiatives by the Balkan Heritage Foundation. The expenses related to participation in the field school, including costs incurred by participants, are financed through reimbursement payments made by the participants themselves.

BHFS project reimbursement payment includes coverage for: educational and fieldwork activities, accommodation and meals, tools and materials, access to project readings, issuance of a Certificate of Attendance, administrative costs, and travel related to fieldwork and excursions included in the program, along with relevant entrance fees.

BHFS project reimbursement payment does not cover: travel expenses to and from Sofia, nor any costs associated with activities not included in the field school program. Additionally, it does not include medical products and services or any expenses related to medical quarantine (such as food delivery or accommodation).

The costs in USD are approximate. Please check the current exchange rates!

Early Bird Cost - until January 31, 2026:

Early Bird cost for the two-week project session is 2299 EUR/ approx.2670 USD

Regular Cost - after January 31, 2026:      

The Regular Cost for the two-week project session is 2599 EUR / approx. 3010 USD   

Reimbursement Transfer Options:

- Bank transfer
- Online transfers via the Balkan Heritage virtual POS Terminal. VISA, MASTERCARD & MAESTRO cards are accepted.      
- Wise money transfer

For further information, contact the Admissions Office at: [email protected]!

 Discounts off the regular cost:

* 5% DISCOUNT OFF the regular cost available for:

1. Participation in more than one BHFS project in 2026 (discount applies to the second, third, etc. project).
2. Membership in the Archaeological Institute of America.

* 10% DISCOUNT OFF the regular cost available for:

1. Participation in any BHFS project/s in the past.

* 12% DISCOUNT OFF the regular cost available for:

1. Group Participation (three or more people who participate together in one BHFS project in 2026). The discount is valid for each participant.

* 15% DISCOUNT OFF the regular cost is available for:

1. Group Participation (three or more people, who participate in more than one BHFS project in 2026 (the discount is valid for each participant).
2. BHFS alumni who participate in more than one BHFS project in 2026. (discount applies to the second, third, etc. project).
3. BHFS alumni who attended a full project in the past and returned to the same project.

NOTE: 5% OF EVERY COST FOR THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE BALKAN HERITAGE PROTECTION FUND'S ACTIVITIES!

For more information about scholarships, low-cost flights, hotels, etc., please contact us or visit our recommended links.

Academic credits   

To obtain US credis and certification apply and enroll directly through the Center for Field Sciences (CFS), USA.    

New Bulgarian University grants 6 ECTS credits to students for attending this field school. Transcripts of Records (ToR) are available upon request for an additional tuition fee of 400 EUR for EU students and 600 EUR for Non-EU students.

Details: Regulations for obtaining Transcripts of Records.     

Participants in the field school who do not need academic credit units are not expected to pay for them.