Nestled within the embrace of the Church of St. John—the youngest of the four churches in Kruševo, built in 1905—this gallery is a true sanctuary of Orthodox art and woodcarving. Opened as a permanent exhibition in 1978, it houses the priceless heritage of the Kruševo icon painters.

What can you see in the gallery?

The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore the development of icon painting and fresco art through the centuries:

• 17th-century frescoes: Right at the entrance to the church porch, you will find displaced frescoes from the Monastery of St. Athanasius in the village of Lokveni.
• 19th-century icons: The upper section of the gallery displays masterfully crafted icons, some created even earlier, curated by Dr. Kosta Balkanov.
• Rare library: A collection of 14 books from the 18th and 19th centuries, including three unique herminias (icon painters’ manuals). One of them was written by the hand of the renowned Kosta Zograf.

The Heritage of the Kruševo Craft Guilds

Throughout history, Kruševo has been a true breeding ground for artistic talent. Research confirms that more than 20 guilds of icon painters, fresco painters, and woodcarvers originated from this town, whose works today adorn churches across the Balkans.

• The Mihajlo (Zisi) family line: One of the oldest icon-painting families, with signed works preserved to this day.
• The studio of Kosta Zograf: A special highlight in the gallery is a set of objects discovered in 1973—authentic brushes, tools for applying gold leaf, and paint boxes used by the master himself.

A Masterpiece in Wood: The Iconostasis of Nestor Aleksieski

The interior of the church is adorned with a magnificent iconostasis carved in deep relief from linden wood. Although not completely finished, it is the work of the renowned woodcarver Nestor Aleksieski from the Reka region, who lived in Kruševo at the beginning of the 20th century. This iconostasis is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Macedonian woodcarving art.