ABSTRACT
Heritage buildings represent a significant part of the tangible cultural heritage in the Republic of North Macedonia. Byzantine churches (9th–14th century) are among the most numerous and well-preserved medieval monuments, holding great cultural and historical importance.
The vulnerability of heritage buildings stems from their long-term exposure to various human, technological, and natural factors. This vulnerability is especially critical in seismically active regions like North Macedonia, where timely interventions are essential for their preservation. In this context, heritage surveys—offering insights into the historical background, physical condition, and cultural significance of these structures—are a fundamental first step in any preservation strategy.
This paper presents an investigation of the Church of St. Nikita, selected as a representative example of Byzantine architecture. Constructed in the 14th century, the church features a domed cross-in-square architectural plan. The investigation included archival research, review of existing documentation, building surveys (including visual and drone inspections), and recording. This integrated methodology provided a comprehensive understanding of the church’s historical context, current condition, and cultural significance, which is essential for developing future preservation strategies that address both material and semantic aspects.
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