The Skopje Conservation Center has restored the residential quarters of Ss. Archangels Michael and Gavril in the village of Kuceviste on Skopska Crna Gora with a grant amounting to nearly 100.000 dollars provided by the U.S. Ambassadors' Fund for Cultural Preservation.

It took a year to restore the residential quarters. The completion of the project was marked Tuesday at an event attended by U.S. Ambassador Paul Wohlers, deputy culture minister Dragan Nedeljkovic and the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan.

Ambassador Wohlers said he was satisfied with the completion of the U.S.-funded project. "Now I know that Macedonia's unique and magnificent history is preserved."

"The residential quarters are fully restored bringing back its original design in order future visitors to have the chance to see what it looked like in the 17th century. Cultural sites remind us of the contribution and historical experience of our ancestors. The United States wants to demonstrate its respect toward other cultures. One way to achieve this is to play a leading role in the efforts aimed at protecting cultural heritage," Wohlers noted.

Deputy minister Nedeljkovic said the residential quarters were an important example of Macedonia's traditional architecture.

"As of today, the citizens of our country and tourists from abroad will be able to visit the monastery's quarters, which fascinate with their uniqueness and beauty, with their timelessness and glory," said Nedeljkovic.

The U.S. embassy and the Ministry of Culture last year signed a grant agreement in amount of $98.900 for restoration of the residential quarters of Ss. Archangels Michael and Gavril. In the last 12 years, a total of 11 monuments of culture were restored with financial support from the Ambassadors' Fund for Cultural Preservation.

The monastery's residential quarters were built in the 17th century. The monastery is dedicated to archangels Michael and Gavril and dates back to the 14th century.