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

The Project and the Course

General Information  

Project Type: Field School & Research Expedition

Field School & Expedition started in: 2008

The Sites: Participants will study, receive training, and work on documenting medieval Christian Orthodox chapels and small churches in western Bulgaria and eastern Serbia. They will also have the opportunity to visit several other archaeological and historical sites nearby.

Project Venue and Accommodation: Participants and staff will consecutively stay at Hotel Zheravna in Bankya, a small spa town in the Sofia Metropolitan area, and at Hotel Happy in the Serbian border town of Dimitrovgrad. The church sites are located within a radius of approximately 50 to 75 km (31 to 46 miles) from the project hotels. Travel arrangements will be organized by the Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS).

About the Project: The "Fresco-Hunting" Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches offers a unique opportunity for students and volunteers to document abandoned medieval churches and chapels, along with their frescoes, in western Bulgaria and eastern Serbia. Participants will also visit various monasteries, museums, and archaeological sites in Bulgaria and Serbia, including the capital city, Sofia. The expedition and the field school are coordinated by the Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF).

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

The field school is designed for students and young specialists in heritage, archaeology, and conservation, as well as artists. However, we also welcome anyone interested in:

• Medieval civilization in Southeastern Europe (particularly Byzantine and Christian Orthodox architecture, arts, and iconography during the late medieval period: 13th to 17th centuries)
• Digital photography
• Documentation of ecclesiastical architecture and frescoes
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Travel to significant heritage sites in Bulgaria and Serbia

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

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

Field School Session Available: May 24 - June 7, 2025

Application Deadline: April 24, 2025

Minimum Length of Stay: Two weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Number of Field School Places Available: 8

Project Language: English

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

Special Considerations: The project is not recommended for individuals with health issues that might be exacerbated during intensive outdoor activities.

Note: Citizens of the EU, EEA, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand do not need entry visas for Bulgaria and Serbia. Citizens of countries not mentioned above should check in advance whether they need entry visas for one or both countries. The cost of any required visas will be the responsibility of the students.

Special Requirements:

• Participants should inform the project staff in advance about any health issues, allergies, and food preferences.
• Participants are expected to bring a laptop with at least 10 GB of free disk space, a mouse, and a USB flash drive. While bringing a personal DSLR camera is not required, it is recommended, as using your own camera is an excellent way to improve digital photography skills.
• The reimbursement payment does not cover insurance. It is essential to arrange your own insurance before your trip to Bulgaria and Serbia. All EU citizens can access Bulgarian medical services with proof of their home-country health insurance, such as a card or certificate. This option does not apply in Serbia, which is not an EU country.
• Participants should bring clothing and toiletries suitable for varying weather conditions, ranging from warm and sunny to rainy, windy, and cold.
• Participants are expected to prepare for the expedition by reading the materials provided by the BHFS before the project begins.
• All participants will be required to release copyright on 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. 

Archaeological Context & Period

The decline of the Byzantine Empire, the rise and fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire, and the Serbian Kingdom and Empire, along with the Ottoman conquest of Southeastern Europe and the peak of Ottoman power, define the Late Medieval period in the Balkans, spanning from the 13th to the 17th centuries. The churches and chapels that will be visited and studied during the field school were constructed during these turbulent times in one of the few Balkan regions where numerous late medieval builders and artisan guilds converged.

What remains of medieval Orthodox art in the area consists of small chapels and churches that survived the Ottoman invasions of the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as the wars and social and political upheavals that followed. Many of these monuments feature modest architecture and often conceal exquisite frescoes behind their unassuming exteriors. Most have been abandoned for long periods, exhibiting visible damage from both vandalism in the past and decay due to weather exposure and lack of maintenance in the present.

The Expedition

The "Fresco-Hunting" Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches provides a unique opportunity for students and volunteers to take part in an expedition for the documentation of abandoned medieval churches/chapels and their frescos in western Bulgaria, and to visit many other Christian Orthodox churches and monasteries, museums and archaeological sites in Sofia, western Bulgaria. The number of these monuments has sadly been permanently decreasing due to the lack of effort to preserve and protect them from weather damage and vandalism. During the last fourteen years, specialists from Bulgaria, North Macedonia, USA, Canada and Japan as well as students from all over the world participating in the “Fresco-Hunting” Photo Expedition have expanded and upgraded the existing database of drawn and photographic records of fifteen churches and chapels in western Bulgaria. We aim to publish a complete corpus of these medieval frescos and to develop further projects to support and record the remaining endangered sites through conservation, restoration, development and/or improvement of each site's management, and fund-raising. Our work so far has been successful in raising public awareness. And, some of the sites we documented have been protected (Balsha, Kalotina, Zimevitsa). In 2017, the Balkan Heritage Foundation issued the first e-book dedicated to one of the churches documented by the Expedition, the 17th century church St. Thedore Tyro in Zimevitsa. The work on a publication of two more churches (Balsha and Golesh) is now in progress. Unfortunately, many more churches remain in desperate condition, awaiting either better times or continued deterioration.

The Field School

In 2025, the project envisions supplementing the database created during the previous seasons by documenting the architecture and frescos (and their condition) of three to six medieval Christian Orthodox chapels or small churches in western Bulgarian borderlands and collecting new data on their history, artifacts and environment. 

The Field School is comprised of:

• Fieldwork that entails a preliminary survey of architecture, frescos and their iconographic program; creation of textual, graphic (drawn) and photographic records of ecclesiastical edifices and their frescos (in up to six churches)
• Specialized lectures in Southeastern European medieval history; Christian Orthodox architecture, arts and iconography; documentary photography; fresco conservation and restoration; methodology of project survey as well as an introduction to photogrammetry and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI)
• Workshops for graphic (drawn) documentation, processing and archiving of digital images plus a free optional workshop on illustration of architectural features and frescos (using graphic software)
• Excursions and guided tours of Sofia and Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bulgaria.

All participants will receive:

• Project handbook (in PDF version by e-mail)
• Balkan Heritage Field School Certificate specifying the fieldwork hours, educational modules, and sites visited
• T-shirt

The Team

• Ivan Vasilev, president of the Balkan Heritage Foundation and archaeologist
• Dr. Vassil Tenekedjiev, archaeologist, Varna Regional Museum of History   
• Dr. Angel Angelov, archaeologist, National Ethnographic Institute and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
• Miroslav Marinov, professional photographer, Sofia Photography School

The Program

Fieldwork:

• Practicing basic survey and documentation techniques: visual inspection, measurement using laser/tape and dumpy level, scale-drawing, sketching, digital photography, etc.
• Creating textual, graphic and photographic records
• (Preliminary) interpretation and identification of architectural styles and construction techniques, as well as fresco iconography, techniques and styles

Lectures:

• History of Bulgaria and the Central Balkans in the Middle Ages -- onsite at the National History Museum   
• Shaping the Holy Space: Impact of the Liturgy on Orthodox Church Architecture, Interior Design and Arts
• Introduction to Orthodox Church Architecture (with Special Attention to the Late Medieval Churches in Western Bulgaria)   
• Window to Heaven: the Orthodox Icon between Art and Theology
• Kingdom of Heaven on Earth: Who is Who in the Iconographic Program of the Late Medieval Churches in Western Bulgaria
• Basic Field Methods and Practices for the Survey and the Documentation of Architecture and Frescos
• Graphic and Photographic Documentation for Fieldwork
• Introduction to Documentary Photography
• Introduction to Photogrammetry, Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) and Other Photographic Techniques for Documentation of Cultural Heritage
• History of Sofia -- onsite in Sofia
• History and Art of Boyana Church -- onsite at Boyana Church
• Life in the Orthodox Monastery -- onsite in the Rila Monastery
• History of the Rila Monastery -- onsite in the Rila Monastery

Workshops:

• Post-expedition work and digital archiving   

On-site instructions:

• How to Organize My Expedition Field Journal
• How to Organize My Field Graphic and Photographic Documentation Project
• How and What to Measure Using Laser/Tape Measure and Dumpy Level
• How to Draw Architectural Ground Plans, Elevations, and Cross-sections to Scale
• How to Sketch an Iconographic Program
• Digital Photography for Heritage Documentation in Action – What, How and When
• Health and Safety

Guided Tours:

• Sofia Downtown Walking Tour with visits to the City Cathedral (the biggest fully functioning Christain Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans completed 1912) dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevski (including the Gallery for Christian Orthodox Icon in its crypt; Saint Sofia Church (6th century); the remains of Roman Serdica (2nd – 6th century CE), Saint Georgi Rotunda (300s CE), the Ottoman Banya Bashi Mosque (16th century) and the third largest Jewish synagogue in Europe.
• 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

Nearest Air Terminal: Sofia (SOF)

Where to Go: Please arrive by May 24, 2025, no later than 7:30 PM in Hotel Zheravna, Bankya, Bulgaria.

Visa Requirements: Citizens of the EU, EEA, 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. As of 2024, Bulgaria has joined the Schengen Area, enabling the free movement of people across borders in when traveling by air and sea.

Accommodation & Meals   

Accommodation: Participants will stay at Hotel Zheravna in Bankya, located in the Sofia Metropolitan area, and Hotel Happy in Dimitrovgrad, Serbia. Rooms will accommodate two to three beds and include bathrooms with showers, WC, TV, and Wi-Fi. Upon arrival, taxi transfers from Sofia Airport to Bankya are available for an additional fee of approximately 25 EUR. All participants will receive a complimentary drop-off transfer to Sofia Airport on the last day of the project.

Meals: Three meals per day are included in the reimbursement payment. Meals typically take place in the hotel restaurant, except for brown-bag lunches provided when participants are on-site or during excursions. Requests for vegetarian and vegan options are accommodated. Participants are responsible for covering the cost of any additional days at the project hotels, single room accommodation, as well as any meals, beverages, services, or products outside of the project package. Single rooms are available upon request for the duration of the field school for an additional cost of 500 EUR.

  Free Time & Trips    

Free Time: Sofia offers a wide range of entertainment options, including spa services, sports, sightseeing, and shopping. For more information, visit: Sofia Guide. In Bankya and Dimitrovgrad, leisure activities such as hiking, tennis, and relaxing in spas are readily accessible.

Trips: Guided visits will be organized for all field school participants, including tours of Sofia, downtown attractions, 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, as well as Poganovo and Temska 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 your trip to Bulgaria. The insurance must cover, at a minimum, the following risks: medical treatment in the event of an accident or illness, as well as costs related to evacuation and repatriation.

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

What to Bring?

• Work Shoes and Clothing: Bring work shoes and clothing suitable for outdoor tasks, keeping in mind the diverse weather conditions (ranging from rainy and cool to sunny and warm). Remember to pack both a raincoat and sunscreen. A pair of comfortable hiking shoes is essential. 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: Please bring only the prescription medications you may need, as non-prescription medications can be easily purchased in Bulgaria and Serbia.
• 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. Participants will not need to bring drawing or measuring supplies, as these 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. Working conditions can be challenging, with low to no light and humid, moldy environments. The Balkan Heritage Field School has floodlights, but they are only usable if there is electricity. 
• Additional Items:
  • A wide-brimmed hat
  • A small backpack for your water bottle, snacks, camera, etc.
  • A converter for EU-type electrical sockets, if needed
  • A positive attitude for work, fun, study, and discoveries!

The Cost

All field schools are conducted as non-profit projects by the Balkan Heritage Foundation, Bulgaria. Their costs, including students' costs related to participation in the field school are covered by the reimbursement payments made by field school students.   

BHFS project reimbursement payment covers: educational and fieldwork activities, accommodation and meals, tools and materials, access to project readings, issuance of a Certificate of Attendance, administrative costs, travel related to fieldwork and excursions included in the field school program, as well as relevant entrance fees.

BHFS project reimbursement payment does not include: travel costs to Sofia and from Bankya or costs of any activities not included in the field school program; medical products and services and any expenses related to medical quarantine (food delivery, accommodation, etc.).

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

Early Bird Cost - until January 31, 2025:

Early Bird cost for a two-week project session is 1999 EUR/ approx.2120 USD

Regular Cost - after January 31, 2025:      

The Regular Cost for a two-week project session is 2299 EUR / approx. 2440 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 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 2025 (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 2025). 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 2025 (the discount is valid for each participant).
2. BHFS alumni, who participate in more than one BHFS project in 2025. (discount applies to the second, third, etc. project).
3. BHFS alumni who attended a full project in the past and return 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 feel free to contact us or look at 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.