Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (5.1993(1994))

discovery of the murals in the narthex; however, since the
paintings had not been sufficiently cleaned at the start, it caused
considerable difficulties and extended the time necessary for the
proper preservation to be carried out.
On the western wall of the church naos which is presently
the western wall of the narthex two new compositions were
revealed: Maiestas Domini in the central part of the cosmic cross
supported by two angels, and an unknown, mounted warrior saint
with a youthful face. The two paintings belong undoubtedly to the
original decoration of the church interior and can be dated to the
second half of the 12^ century or the early 13^ at the latest.
On the southern wall of the church hurus three
fragmentarily preserved compositions were revealed. The relatively
most complete picture is that of three standing anachoretai facing
forward; a legend identifies one of them as Simeon. To the left of
this composition there is a fragmentary representation of a warrior
saint on horseback. Below these two paintings there is a fragment
of a larger composition depicting a standing Christ assisted by a
apostle(?) on his right. In terms of style, this composition differs
from the rest of the paintings inside the church.
It is now safe to say that the inside of the church of
Archangel Gabriel, the naos as well as the hurus, was decorated
with a single register of painted compositions placed about 2 m.
above the church floor. The church was painted after a renovation
and rebuilding which resulted in the blocking of most of the
windows and the separation of the hurus from the naos. It is as yet
impossible to document all the stages of the renovation process and
to put a specific date on it. All we can be certain of is that the
rebuilding must have preceded the painting of the murals.

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