The Log Church of St. Peter and Paul in Darosava near Aranđelovac is a representative example of the Log Churches built by the people in the 18th and 19th centuries. According to Dobroslav St. Pavlović and other sources cited by the author, it was built in 1832. The first written record mentioning the church is a list of newly built churches in the Turija Captaincy, which includes the church in Darosava, dating from January 1, 1833. Another date indirectly related to its construction can be found on the stone candle holders in the church, where the year 1834 is inscribed beneath the donor's name, Mihailo Davidović. Additionally, the year 1833 is written on the wooden cross in the altar, and 1841 on the northern altar doors.

The Log Church in Darosava holds significant historical, architectural, and ethnographic value. Built almost two hundred years ago, at a time when Serbia was under Turkish rule, it reflects the Serbian people's efforts to preserve their national identity and religious affiliation. Architecturally, the Log Church represents the most successful and monumental achievement of its time, preserved in almost unchanged form from its inception to the present day. Its value is even greater when considering the fact that it is one of the few buildings of this type still standing in Serbia. The artistic value of the church is reflected in the richness of its ornamented details on the doors, windows, ceiling, columns on the porch, and the cornice. The porch fence, with eight columns, massive doors with rosettes, small window openings with internal shutters, the decorative lock on the doors, the iconostasis, the octagonal rosette in the ceiling, all intricately carved in wood, are adorned with geometric patterns painted in red and green. This style of wood ornamentation on this type of building, constructed in Serbia in the 19th century, represents its highest achievement.

For the local population, the church is a significant religious and spiritual center around which people still gather during village festivities and major religious holidays, despite the presence of a new church in the village. Additionally, the church holds undeniable environmental value, as it is located in an exceptionally beautiful natural setting, away from major roads and pollution.

The Log Church was declared a cultural heritage monument by the Institute for Scientific Research of Cultural Monuments in Belgrade, decision no. 922/51 dated 15.08.1951. This cultural monument is also listed on the priority intervention list (PIL list) within the Ljubljana Process II.

Throughout its nearly two-century-long history, the church has undergone several renovations. The first major restoration took place in 1905, as noted on an inscription under the eaves at the entrance to the porch (‘9/4 1905 M.V.N.’). The next significant renovation occurred in 1978 and was overseen by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments Kragujevac, with architect-conservator Mr. Radoslav Prokić leading the work. After that, the church withstood the ravages of time, but due to the complete deterioration of the roof covering and significant structural problems, a new major restoration became necessary. A turning point in the recent history of the church, which raised awareness and led to its current restoration and revitalization, occurred on June 25, 2014, when a tree fell during a storm, completely destroying the roof and roof structure on the western part of the church, including the porch area.

Brief Description of the Object and General Condition Before the Start of Work

The church has a typical elongated shape with polygonal transitions in the porch and the altar. The total length of the building is approximately 14.30 m, while its width is about 5.50 m, placing it in the category of medium-sized log churches (with an area of around 73 m²). The entire width is covered with a shallow, barrel-shaped ceiling made of profiled and grooved wooden beams. The roof, which had been ‘broken’ and covered with metal during the restoration works in 1905, was reconstructed with additional construction during the 1978 conservation works, eliminating the break and installing oak shingles on the steep roof.

Apart from the roof, the entire building has largely been preserved in its original state. It is rich in ornamental details that deserve attention. In addition to the exceptional woodwork, the church also features skilled stonework (pulpit rosette, porch rosette, stone candle holders) as well as masterful use of wrought iron (serpentine window grilles, crosses, chandelier, bells).

The condition of the church immediately before the preparation of the conservation-restoration project, especially after the stormy weather that further endangered it, was alarming. Among the major issues that raised concerns about the survival of this cultural monument were: the roof was almost entirely destroyed, the foundation structure was severely destabilized, cracked, and threatened other structural elements, and the primary wooden structure (walls made of beams and porch columns) had completely lost its verticality and proper geometric alignment.

Project for Conservation and Restoration Works

The project for the conservation and restoration works on the log church of St. Peter and Paul was completed in January 2014. It was developed in accordance with the conditions for undertaking technical protection measures set by the Republic Institute of Cultral Monuments in Belgrade and based on the existing condition of the building. During the protection development, previous studies, reports, records and other documentation available at the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute Kragujevac were used. It is worth nothing that software solutions enabling the creation of complex elements and a three-dimensional representation of the structure were utilized for this project due to the complex structural connections of the building (dovetail joints, ‘double gutter’, etc), as well as for the visual and engineering verification of new structural solutions (roof structure and extended eaves construction).

The conservation and restoration works were funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia and were carried out in two phases. The project manager was Zoran Jaglić, graduate architect with team members Jelena Munjić, graduate ethnol - anthropol. and Bojan Šarenac, M.A. in Caonservation and Restoration. The first phase was carried out in 2015 by SZGR Ivica Bjelić, based in Smederevo. The second phase was implemented in 2017 and 2018, with works executed by SZR ‘Tehnik’, Rača, based in Kragujevac.

Description of the condition with justification and explanation of the design and conservation approach

Foundations

The foundations are made of broken stone with both faces of the wall finished in lime mortar. The thickness of the foundation walls is 50 cm, while their height is 70 cm, measured from the wooden foundation sill to the bottom of the foundation wall, providing a depth of foundation ranging from 55 cm to 30 cm, depending on the terrain slope and the sidewalk level. The condition of the foundations was very poor. The bonding material on the outer side of the foundation walls was completely disintegrated and crumbling, and in large areas, it was entirely absent. The most critical condition of the foundations was observed on the southern side of the church, in the section leading to the apse. There, the foundation wall cracked and completely deviated from its geometric position. The rest of the structure above the foundation followed this deformation (foundation sill, columns, beams...) thus endangering the overall static integrity of the building. Measurements revealed significant deviations in the horizontal alignment of the upper surface of the foundation zone, reaching up to 30 cm in the longitudinal direction (east-west).

The determined method of structural rehabilitation of the foundation zone involved the complete under-concreting of the foundation with reinforced concrete to a minimum depth of 80 cm. Due to the significant deviations in the horizontality of the foundation zone, and the entire structure, the entire construction above the foundation had to be lifted using chain hoists. After this, the leveling was performed by masonry with broken stone (‘under vagres’), entirely in accordance with the existing structure (type of stone, method of processing, and installation). After static and leveling rehabilitation, the joints on the foundation walls were cleaned, the entire surface of the walls was washed, and finally, the stonework was completed with lime mortar after the prior injection of cracks. Above the foundation, a layer of horizontal waterproofing was applied, on which wooden elements of the foundation structure—doubled foundation beams, sills—were further installed.

Walls

The walls rest on a double foundation beam, 22 cm wide and a total height of about 37 cm (14+23). The supporting foundation beam ‘atula’ is intermittently connected ‘on the tongue’ with wooden battens to the foundation beam constructed on the inner side of the foundation wall. The church walls are made of oak beams, 8-9 cm thick, 17-21 cm high, and lengths varying from 1.5 meters to 5 meters, even up to 11 meters above the northern door. The beams are made with a double groove, and at the corners, they are interlocked ‘in dovetail’ while the longitudinal connections are made with iron pins. On the southern side of the church, there is a double-grooved column to reduce the necessary length of the beams, which are stacked horizontally on the tongue and groove until reaching the column. This tongue and groove connection also appears on the western and northern walls, where the beams connect to the door frames, made as columns, grooved on one side. In contrast, the walls in the north-south direction are connected and ‘reinforced’ with ceiling beams (tensioners) of 15/18 cm. Numerous subsequent interventions have added various constructions to prevent and stop further structural deformations of the object, including steel ties at the floor level and at the height of the ceiling beams. A kind of exoskeleton was also created with interconnected wooden columns and beams completely surrounding the building. These interventions did not yield the best results, as evidenced by the structural condition of the building at that time.

After the static stabilization of the foundation zone, work began on restoring the wooden structure to verticality and the correct geometric position. This was done by raising individual parts of the building with chain hoists and applying controlled pressure forces or tension, using steel cables, hydraulic and chain hoists, as well as creating special substructures for the anchoring needs. This process was very ‘stressful’, both for the building's structure and for all the participants in the project, but it was ultimately successful, bringing the entire structure into a domain of completely acceptable deviations from the correct geometric position, which is inevitable with such structures. Only the elements that were damaged beyond usability (parts of the foundation beams, wedding ring...) were replaced. All elements were replaced entirely in accordance with the original in terms of wood type, dimensions, method of treatment, and installation.

Roof

Before the commencement of the works, the existing roof structure was a remnant of the reconstruction carried out in the 1970s. Prior to that intervention, the roof had a gentler slope and was covered with sheet metal. During the reconstruction, ‘new’ rafters were added to the existing ‘broken’ roof structure, creating a steep roof, with eaves supported by the rafters, forming a narrow eaves (~60 cm) around the church. The new roofing material used was oak shingles, which had deteriorated over time. Due to the condition of the roof covering, the false ceiling made of tiles also deteriorated. In addition to the overall degradation of materials, during the aforementioned storm, a tree fell and completely destroyed the western part of the roof structure, severely damaging the structure of the porch. Immediately before the works, an emergency intervention was carried out, and the western part of the roof structure was covered with a layer of waterproofing (‘Kondor’).

The conservation and restoration works involved the dismantling of the existing roof structure and roofing. This work provided an opportunity to completely replace the roof structure and covering, while presenting the church in its authentic form, with a wider eaves. The ‘new’ roof was constructed using the available material remnants, drawing on knowledge, experience, proportions, and analogies with other log churches from this area (churches in Rača, Brzan, Pokajnica in Velika Plana), thus forming a ‘wider’ eaves by reconstructing the remnants of the supporting beams in the upper zone of the walls. After the installation of the rafters, purlins, collars, and battens, a layer of waterproofing was applied, using a self-supporting, vapor-permeable, water-repellent membrane, supported by the rafters. The roof was covered with oak shingles, 5 cm thick, and 95–105 cm long, with a 20–25 cm overlap vertically and a 15–20 cm overlap horizontally, joined by tongue and groove, or ‘lamb’. The oak shingles, varying in width from 16–25 cm, were nailed with hand-forged nails – nails made from sheet metal with dimensions of 5/8 cm, spaced 80 cm apart. The shingles were soaked in a hot solution of distilled tar and linseed oil, and all other wooden elements of the church were treated with this solution in the required number of coats. Finally, a ridge beam, 17/17 cm in cross-section, was installed, supported by the rafters, into which the final row of shingles was embedded. The two preserved metal crosses were cleaned, repaired, conserved, and placed on the ridge beam.

Floors and sidewalks

The floors in the nave are made of regular stone slabs, laid on the ground and a layer of sand, and sealed with cement mortar. At the western doors, the height difference is solved with a semicircular staircase made of large stone pieces, while at the northern doors, the elevation change is overcome with a single step made of large stone blocks. In front of the altar doors, between the stone candle holders, rises a circular pulpit richly decorated with geometric patterns, made from a single piece of stone. The porch floor is mostly concrete. A stone rosette, circular in shape with simpler decoration, which, according to data from Dobroslav St. Pavlović and earlier elaborations by the Institute, was found in the porch floor, was deposited under the bell tower. The floor in the southern part of the church has completely sunken due to settling and deformation of the foundation. The sidewalk around the church is made of irregularly shaped stone and was almost completely covered with vegetation and earth deposits.

Conservation and restoration works involved the complete dismantling of all floor surfaces, with prior technical recording and marking to ensure the restoration of all elements to their original positions. After conducting archaeological research, which examined the interior of the church, soil was added, compacted, and brought to the required height, aligned with the elevation of the sunken foundation zone and above-ground structure. The cleaned candleholders were returned to their original positions, and the amvon rose from the nave is now ‘sunken’ into the floor, slightly raised to highlight its presence. The kasmena rose from the porch was returned to its original position on the floor in front of the church's entrance doors. The floor was restored by placing all stone pieces back to their authentic positions, laid on a layer of yellow sand and finished with a lime-based mortar made from natural hydraulic lime. Fine leveling of the terrain around the church was carried out, with ditches for draining rainwater made from earthen channels away from the building, followed by the placement of stone pieces on a sand layer without the final sealing of joints.

The conservation-restoration works involved the complete dismantling of all floor surfaces, with prior technical recording and marking to ensure the restoration of all elements to their original positions. Following archaeological research, which examined the interior of the church, soil was filled and compacted to the necessary height, aligned with the raising of the sunken part of the foundation zone and the above-ground structure. The cleaned candlesticks were returned to their original positions, and the amvon rosette from the naos is now ‘sunken’ into the floor with a slight emphasis by increasing its height. The small rosette from the porch was returned to its original position on the floor in front of the temple's entrance doors. The floor was completed by returning all stone pieces to their authentic positions, placed on a layer of yellow sand and finished with a lime-based mortar made from natural hydraulic lime. Fine leveling of the terrain around the church was performed, including the construction of trenches to direct rainwater away from the building, and after that, stones were laid on a layer of sand without final grouting of the joints.

Iconostasis

The iconostasis of the Log Church in Darosava consists of the iconostasis screen, the royal doors, the northern doors, the cross with the Crucifixion, the icon of Jesus Christ, the icon of the Virgin Mary with the infant Christ, the icon of Saints Peter and Paul, the icon of the Three Hierarchs, the icon of Saint George, the icon of Saint Archangel Gabriel, and the icon of the Ascension of Christ. The iconostasis screen is made up of the base zone, the zone of the main icons, and the zone of feast-day icons, above which is a large cross with the Crucifixion. It is constructed from vertically placed wooden beams and horizontally placed wooden planks.

Traces of active woodworm infestation on the wooden substrate of all the icons are present in the form of numerous entry and exit holes. Xylophagous insects can permanently damage the wood by boring tunnels inside, disrupting the continuity of the wood fibers, which decreases the strength and stability of the wood.

Damage of various kinds can occur due to keeping parts in inadequate spaces. The icons of the Ascension of Christ and St. George, prior to conservation-restoration work, were not kept on the iconostasis of the church but were stored in unsuitable areas where they were subjected to poor handling. As a result, the wooden substrate of the Ascension of Christ icon was damaged by rodents, and the icon of St. George is missing part of it.

The appearance of cracks and delamination within the structure of the icons is a consequence of the loss of elasticity of the substrate, painted layers, and varnish, which can no longer accommodate the volume changes of the wooden support. The protective layer of varnish darkened due to the accumulation of dust and soot.

The conservation-restoration works carried out were as follows:

1. Photographic, video, and other recordings;

2. Creation of textual, technical, photographic, video, and computer documentation before, during, and after the works;

3. Conservation examinations: optical and examinations under UV light;

4. Fixing of damaged parts of the icon's face;

5. Strengthening of the icon's support;

6. Mechanical and chemical removal of impurities;

7. Fumigation;

8. Impregnation of the support;

9. Installation of new support where it was missing;

10. Reconstruction of the painted layers;

11. Varnishing.

The fixation of the painted layers and support on the icons from the Log Church in Darosava was done using Japanese paper and a 3% rabbit glue solution. This method stabilized the unstable parts of the icon faces. The faces, thus protected, were further fixed by injecting rabbit glue into deep cracks, followed by treatment with a hot iron at temperatures between 300°C and 500°C.

Deep cracks caused by the separation of the wooden support plates were repaired by gluing and reinforcing with wooden supports in the form of dovetail joints. The gap between the support plates was filled with a mixture of fine sawdust and woodfix. To prevent shearing of the glued parts, reinforcements in the form of dovetail joints were placed along the line of the previous break in the structure of the original wooden support.

Since cleaning is one of the irreversible processes in conservation-restoration treatment, great care is taken when deciding to apply it. Cleaning is a conservation-restoration treatment that physically alters the surface of the artwork, thereby leading to visual changes. The cleaning of the icons from the Log Church in Darosava was performed after conducting test examinations of the behavior of the surface layers, varnishes, and subsequent coatings in contact with certain cleaning agents. Cleaning tests were carried out using Wolbers’ and Feller’s tests and Vulpex soap. The best results were achieved by combining chemical and mechanical cleaning. The darkened, yellowed, and hardened varnish layer was softened with acetone, followed by further cleaning with Vulpex soap. Thicker layers of wax were removed mechanically using a surgical scalpel.

To prevent the storage of xylophagous insects inside the wooden support, the icons and the iconostasis partition underwent fumigation.

In order to establish visual unity, the painting base was reconstructed where it was missing. Surfaces where the original base was not preserved were filled with wood filler.

On the icons from the iconostasis of the Log Church in Darosava, the reconstruction of the painted layers was done using the standard retouching technique. Afterward, gilding was applied to areas where it was missing. As a final step, a protective layer of varnish was applied.

As part of the conservation work in the Log Church in Darosava, the removal of dirt deposits was carried out on two stone candle holders. These candle holders are made of sedimentary rock of heterogeneous composition. They are located in the eastern part of the church, between the pulpit and the iconostasis. They are in the shape of rectangular pillars with three rectangular ‘crowns’ that protrude from the mass of the pillar. Both candle holders have an inscription on one of the sides.

Exposed to time and the elements, the stone candlesticks became a suitable surface for the accumulation of various impurities. The surface layers of dirt on the candlesticks mainly consist of soot and a sticky layer of wax and paraffin vapors. The surface of the deposits ranges from 1 to 3mm in thickness and is black in color. The areas of the stone where candles were placed have burned.

Considering the condition of the stone candlesticks, the space and surroundings in which they are located, as well as the appearance of the church after conservation work on the architecture, a decision was made to clean the candlesticks in a way that preserves the patina in small traces, so as not to damage the aesthetic value of the pieces while maintaining evidence of their original use. In accordance with this decision, cleaning was carried out based on the principle of minimal intervention. Loose dust was removed by gently brushing with fine brushes. Afterward, the surfaces were treated with a pH-neutral soap, which was then neutralized with water under pressure. Stubborn deposits were cleaned using ammonium carbonate.

Instead of a conclusion

The extensive conservation-restoration work carried out on the Log Church in Darosava has created conditions for the uninterrupted performance of all religious ceremonies in accordance with its primary function. However, there are numerous possibilities for its full revitalization and sustainability. The municipality of Aranđelovac, with its natural wealth and rarities (mineral water, Risovačka Cave) and rich cultural-historical heritage, especially from the 19th century when it was the residence of the Obrenović dynasty, holds significant potential in the field of tourism. The church should be included as an indispensable part of the tourist offer, both as an attractive feature that will be continuously presented to tourists from the country and abroad, and as an integral part of the traditional international event “Marble and Sounds.” Furthermore, the possibilities for organizing summer spiritual schools in nature, art (sculpture) colonies, conservation schools, religious education, etc., should also be considered. The Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute Kragujevac will continue working on the revitalization and presentation of the Log Church in Darosava, together with the Šumadija Diocese, as the owner and user of the building, the local population, and relevant local government institutions, without whose participation this would not be possible.