www..travel The solemn and rejoicing Sopoćani figures Ascension of the Mother of God, Sopoćani , At the beginning of XIV century, King Dečani monastery, XIV century The powerful empire of the Middle monastery, XV century

of SERBIA of exude internal beauty and dignified , detail, XIII century Milutin relocated the capital of Serbia Ages fell after Emperor Dušan’s death.

ORGANISATION expression. That is the antique concept of to () and went to conquer After the Turks had penetrated into NATIONAL TOURISM NATIONAL art, a sort of celebrating the Byzantium’s southern territories. A five- the Balkan Peninsula, the state center beauty of human nature. Sopoćani is the year-old Byzantine princess, , relocated to the west, to the valley of the Sistine Chapel of the Serbian . who, as the guarantor of peace, was Morava. However, besides the chaotic married to Milutin, brought to Serbia political circumstances, in Prince Lazar’s ’s education, ceremonies, and his son Stefan’s state, culture manner of dressing and food culture, and unusually flourished. the Serbian culture transformed in a direct

contact with Imperial Byzantium.

Monasteries Map KOSOVO AND MORAVIAN SERBIA SERBIA Between East and West Rise of On European Defensive Wall

MONASTERIES – PERFECTION IN THE SPIRIT OF Faced with the Islamic invasion in a long FAMOUS DECORATIVE BACKBONE OF IDENTITY The monumental Beli Anđeo (White BYZANTIUM and almost incessant warring during the SCULPTURES last decades of XIV and in the first half of As the Byzantine power weakened in Angel) in the monastery of Mileševa In his life, King Milutin built more than The Moravian churches Lazarica, XV century, the monasteries became real XIII century, an opportunity arose for is the most beautiful example of that 40 endowments. Throughout Kosovo, , and Kalenić are a fortifications. Ravanica and Manasija Nemanja’s successors to build the state extraordinary style based on harmony famous builders from Constantinople new type of , where decorative are belted by the great walls fortified and cultural identities of their country. and the classical ideals of beauty. In and built churches in the sculpture had a significant place. On the with tall towers for defending from the In Žiča, Stefan the First-Crowned was Sopoćani, built a little later, that style form of a cross in a square, with one or portals, windows, rosettes and arches, Pećka Patrijaršija monastery, XIII century Turks’ attacks. Within the monasteries’ crowned king, and Sava Nemanjić reached perfection. The solemn and five , whose exteriority was richly interweaving bands and fantastic walls, Serbia defied the enemy with made the monastery the center of the rejoicing Sopoćani figures exude internal decorated with stones and bricks. The animals as well as human figures its culture, which was the ultimate independent Serbian Archbishopric. The beauty and dignified expression. That masterpiece of that style is Gračanica, MONASTERIES – CENTRES come one after another. The Moravian defense. Despot Stefan accommodated idea of an ideal Christian blend of the is the antique concept of art, a sort of a harmonious and dynamic building OF EDUCATION AND ornament is a brand novelty and a proof the learned, writers and artists from Church and the state was embodied Renaissance celebrating the beauty of making you feel it is lightweight and CULTURE of the epoch’s creative power. conquered countries. In Manasija, the in the monasteries – they became the human nature. Sopoćani is the Sistine sky-rocketing, where the Byzantine idea After Milutin’s death, conquering Manuscript School worked hard, spiritual, political and cultural centers, Chapel of the Serbian Middle Ages. of the church as a picture of universe is continued in the south and, LAVISH PAINTING OF A and, there, the despot himself wrote his and, there, the most important pages of perfectly realized. King Milutin brought simultaneously, estate-owners and LYRICAL ATMOSPHERE monastery, XIII century “Slovo ljubve”, one of the most beautiful the ’ history were being written. distinguished Byzantine painters ecclesiastical circles abruptly gained On the Morava School’s frescoes, the poems of the Serbian medieval poetry. and Euthychios to decorate greater power. They became new great Byzantine painting tradition The thriving of the Serbian monasteries blazed for the last time. Manasija’s started with , the EAST-WEST CONNECTION his endowments. Their extraordinary donators and built more and more frescoes in Bogorodica Ljeviška, as well monasteries. Pećka patrijaršija was and Kalenić’s elegant aristocratic founder of the Serbian state, in the In XIII century, located at a critical monastery, painting exudes lyrical atmosphere and XIII century as in other royal endowments, not at the spiritual center of the state and second half of XII century. In the vicinity juncture of roads, influences and sophistication. Divine clothes, precious of the first residence, the town of Ras, interests, Serbia created its national least lag behind the most beautiful also the place where the Serbian state Constantinople’s pieces of art of that era. reached the peak of its fame – in Peć, jewels, shining vessels and unusual the monasteries Sv. Nikola (St. ) art, which resulted from the blend of A TOUCH OF GOTHIC hoods following the fashion of that time in Kuršumlija, Sv. Bogorodica (Our the influences of the Romanesque and The most beloved Serbian Queen, Jelena Stefan Dušan was crowned Emperor and Serbia became an empire. Throughout transformed the walls of the Moravian Lady) in and Đurđevi stupovi Byzantine arts. The originality of the Anžujska (Helen Anjou), was the one to churches into a historical document (George’s Pillars) emerged one after blend is manifested in the Bogorodična bring the touch of the Gothic style to Dušan’s vast empire, monasteries were also significant educational and for understanding the spirit of the time another; however, in later eras, they crkva (Our Lady’s Church) in Studenica, Serbia. The French princess, married to which disappeared for good with the fall were unfortunately heavily stricken. permeated with the Romanesque style King Uroš I, is remembered to have been cultural centers. There, books were translated and copied, schools and big of , in 1459, and the decline of As a church builder, Nemanja laid the in the decoration of the marble façades a great benefactress and the first female the Serbian medieval state. foundations for a centuries-long rulers’ and in the sculpture on the portals and donator in Serbia. Her endowment libraries established, and, in the imperial tradition, and his last endowment, the the windows; however, its interiority is Gradac was built on the example of monastery of Dečani, there was the monastery of Studenica, was a great spiritually Byzantine and the walls are Studenica, with the interweaving of the famous school for -painting. Manasija monastery, Holy Warriors fresco, Žiča monastery, XIII century Gračanica monastery, XIV century Kosovo is currently administrated by UNMIK based on United Nations detail, XV century paragon future builders identified with. painted with frescoes of surreal beauty. French Gothic style elements. Security Council Resolution No.1244. .

The most famous Serbian fresco, White Krušedol monastery, XVI century Although Fruška gora hills in Srem are In the picturesque gorge of the West Sretenje monastery, XVI century The most famous Serbian manuscript, Angel of Mileševa, was first broadcast via by far known for its beautiful nature and Morava, on the precipitous slopes of Miroslav’s Evangel, written at the court i satellite in 1963, as Europe’s greeting for noble sorts of grapes used for producing Ovčar and Kablar mountains, there is a of Prince Miroslav, Nemanja’s brother, America. A little later, the same signal was the best quality wine, it is, first of all, unique community of monasteries known around 1180, is decorated with luxurious Location Climate sent into space. known for its monasteries. as the Serbian Holy Mountain. miniatures, vignettes, and the Romanic 41° 52’ and 46° 11’ North latitude Humid continental, with style initial letters (UNESCO, program 18° 06’ and 23° 01’ East longitude warm summers with “Remembrance of the World”). temperatures up to 33°C Population and snowy winters with 7,120,666 residents temperatures ranging from -5°C to 10°C. Language 2 Serbian 88.509 km Script CET, GMT+1 hour (March – Cyrillic and October, GМТ+2 hours) Currency Dinar (RSD)

MONASTERIES OF We invite you to join us on social networks: FRUŠKA GORA OVČAR-KABLAR GORGE REPOSITORIES @serbiatourism serbia Serbian Monasteries* Serbian Holy Mountain Harbor of Serbian Culture Gems of Ecclesiastical Art

In Serbia, there are more than two praying and pilgrimage became national monastery, XVI century established there – Metropolitanate of CUSTODIANS OF Repositories emerged at the same time 31 hundred monasteries, 54 of which have anchorages and hotbeds for education Karlovci. In Fruška gora’s monasteries, SPRITUALITY with the foundation of the monasteries been declared cultural monuments, and art. Knowing well their role and the spirituality and culture of the Serbs For centuries, those monasteries since, from the distant past, donators while Stari Ras (Old Ras) with Sopoćani, significance, all Serbian rulers without were preserved through centuries; also, preserved the orthodox spirituality and numerous pilgrims gifted valuable Holidays Tourist Information Centres Studenica and the medieval Serbian exception, starting with the Nemanjić they were an important political center and national awareness of the Serbs; artistic and liturgical objects. Today, Religious holidays in Serbia are marked Souvenir Shops monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija, family, built numerous monasteries. and the symbol of the national resistance also, refugees hid there, in the gorge in the monasteries’ repositories’ according to . Republic Square 5, Belgrade namely Dečani, Gračanica, Pećka Instead of building sumptuous palaces, to the Turkish Empire. and nearby caves. Cultural and artistic china cabinets, visitors can see the January 7: +381 11 3282 712 patrijaršija ( of Peć) and these fighters for high principles built activities were not discontinued in the monasteries’ relics, evangels, chalices, Orthodox : from Good Friday to Tower Bogorodica Ljeviška (Our Lady of Ljeviš) monasteries as their pledge for the AUTHENTIC Serbian Holy Mountain in the most gold crosses, ecclesiastic embroidery, Easter Tuesday +381 11 3908 517 have been inscribed on the UNESCO future. Their endowments testify to STYLE difficult times, either. In XVI century, silver-plated and many other [email protected] world cultural heritage list. For their their donators’ faith, perseverance and In the monasteries Krušedol, Vrdnik or schools for copying books worked there, valuable objects. www.serbia.travel superior cultural and spiritual values, devotion to spiritual values, and also to Novo Hopovo (New Hopovo), there is LIFE DEVOTED TO churches were decorated with frescoes, that heritage is, at the same time, the creative energy of that era. evidence of a great artistic renaissance PRAYER AND WORK Banks and post offices icons were painted and valuable objects Konak is a part of monastery complex, a permanent value of the European that emerged when it met with the Although mostly built in the medieval Monday - Friday 08:00 – 19:00, were designed. intended for everyday accommodation heritage and the whole world. West-European culture. In Fruška epoch, the monasteries are rather Saturday 08:00 – 15:00 of monks. Some monastery complexes gora, the authentic baroque style was active today, too. Monks living there Only selected banks and post offices are Hidden in the wooded areas, under the today provide accommodation for incepted, the first printing shops opened Blagoveštenje monastery, XVII century live according to the ancient monastic open on Sundays. cliffs or on the mountain rivers’ sources, and Serbian graphics was born. Very visitors. the monasteries enshrine the serenity rule: pray and work. That is why serenity www.nbs.rs tall and luxurious baroque bell-towers The monasteries were being built in XIV and happiness coming out of the www.posta.rs of monastic life. By them, refectories, Entry fees are not charged at were built to churches, and baroque and XV centuries, in the turbulent times harmonious blend of the spiritual and the temporary lodgings and repositories Museums monasteries in Serbia. iconostases, big and richly carved when the Turkish Empire put the Serbian physical permeate them. Also, they are were built, and stone walls belt them. wooden separation walls covered territory under control. Retreating Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 - 22:00 If you visit Žiča, Studenica, Gradac, distinguished by the familiar hospitality Yet, historically, the Serbian monasteries Although Fruška gora hills in Srem are with icons painted by the best Serbian from the Turkish conquerors, Serbian Đurđevi Stupovi or Sopoćani, you will of orthodox monasticism from the Holy CIP - Каталогизација у публикацији - Народна библиотека have not isolated themselves from the by far known for its beautiful nature painters of that time inside them. While monks found a solitary and isolated spot find yourself on the European “Tran- Mountain to , so they will host Србије, Београд rest of the world. They have always been and noble sorts of grapes used for opening towards the European culture, in the gorge and started building the sromanica” route which links Europe’s you with respect and human warmth. NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION OF SERBIA 271.222(497.11)-523.4/.6(084.3) places for people to gather, so, today as producing the best quality wine, it is, there was a vivid remembrance of the monasteries. Tradition has it that there 8 Čika Ljubina Street, 11000 Belgrade well, their gates welcome all visitors of Romanic heritage. On that important Fruits of monastic work vary from Phone: +381 11 6557 100, Fax: +381 11 2626 767 MILOVANOVIĆ, Jasmina, 1972- first of all, known for its monasteries, golden era of the Nemanjić family epoch, were more than forty monasteries on e-mail: [email protected] Serbia [Kartografska građa] : monasteries map / [text Jasmina cultural route, which makes its promo- spiritual, such as books, icons and prayer www.serbia.travel Milovanović ; translation Slobodan Rakić ; photographs Dragan good will. Bosnić ... whose building started after the Great so, the specific style of the Serbian that small space, and today there are ten: For publisher: Marija Labović, acting director beads to physical, such as honey, wine, [et al.]. - 1st ed. in English. - 1:800 000. - Belgrade : National Tourism tion possible, the Serbian monasteries Editor: Smiljana Novičić In the Middle Ages, monasteries were Migration of the Serbs in 1690, when baroque came to surface in that blend Blagoveštenje (Annunciation), Vavedenje Text: Jasmina Milovanović Organisation of Serbia, 2017 (Belgrade : Službeni glasnik). - 1 geogr. are a must exactly because of their origi- medicinal teas and nice fabrics. Entering Translation: Slobodan Rakić karta : u bojama ; na listu 70 x 50 cm, presavijena na 21 x 11 cm very significant: since the European the Serbs moved to Hungary and, exiled of the modern and the traditional. (), Vaznesenje Language editor: Russell Stenhouse nal contribution to the European cultural a monastery in Serbia makes you feel as Design: Marijana Markoska Tiraž 10.000. - Sadrži: legendu, spisak manastira i kratke tekstove o by the Turks, sheltered there. Fruška For all that, the seventeen preserved (Ascension), Ilinje, Jovanje, Nikolje, Photographs: Dragan Bosnić, Branko Jovanović, Goran Nikolić, culture was developing under the if you were stepping out from the pacey srpskoj srednjevekovnoj umetnosti sa fotografijama. heritage. www.transromanica.com Vladimir Sretenović aegis of the church, those places for gora is frequently said to be the Serbian Fruška gora’s monasteries have a great Preobraženje (Transfiguration), Sretenje Mapping board: Merkur SV living of the real world and stepping into Map consultant: Olgica Miljković PhD ISBN 978-86-6005-531-8 Holy Mountain because on its slopes significance in Serbia’s cultural and (Presentation of at the Temple), Print: Službeni glasnik, Belgrade a living antiquity which, today as well, 1st edition in English, 2017 a) Манастири - Србија - Географске карте there are numerous monasteries and historical heritage. Uspenje (Assumption) and Svete Trojice St., Volume: 10.000 COBISS.SR-ID 248668172 Nikolje monastery, XV century Museum of the Serbian , icon, 1644. testifies that eternity is not far from us. ISBN 978-86-6005-531-8 *Monasteries presented in this publication are Orthodox. More information on facilities of other confessions are available 01 broj 034-01-1-58/2017 от 14.06.2017. on www.serbia.travel, where you can also download our publication „Cultural Treasures of Serbia “. the spiritual center of exiled Serbs was (The Holy ) monasteries.

SERBIA MONASTERIES MAP

NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION of SERBIA www.serbia.travel

LEGEND

International Border Horgoš Border Crossing (land, river) City

Provincial Border County center

Highway Rivers and Lakes One-lane Highway

Distances in Kilometers Monastery

Highway Transromanica Cultural Route Regional Road

UNESCO Cultural Site Railway

Airport Settlement Signs (commercial, recreational)

MONASTERIES OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ON THE LIST OF IMMOVABLE CULTURAL HERITAGE*

Bogorodica Pribojska Banjska Beočin Bođani Ljeviška

Velika Remeta Vojlovica Vrdnik- Ravanica Dečani

Đurđevi Divša Gračanica Gradac Žiča Stupovi

Jazak Kalenić Krušedol Kuveždin Ljubostinja

Mala Remeta Manasija Mesić Mileševa Novo Hopovo

Petkovica Petrova crkva Pećka Pokajnica patrijaršija

Prohor Pčinjski Ravanica Sv. Arhangeli Sv. Nikola Prizren Kuršumlija

*Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sopoćani Staro Hopovo Studenica Šišatovac of Serbia