tant Orthodox monasteries, represent- ing the endowment of Uroš Nemanjić I (who reigned in the mid-13 th centu- ry). Its name comes from the Slavic word sopot – wellspring, in reference to to the wellspring of the River Raška, which is located not far from the mon- astery. Known for its extraordinary frescoes and the fact that the relics of King Uroš and the holy doctors Cosmas and Damian are kept there, Sopočani is located 17 kilometres west of Novi Pazar. This shrine was inscribed in UN- ESCO’s list of world cultural heritage sites in 1979. OUTSIDE KRALJEVO - ŽIČA Kraljevo owes its name to the kings of Serbia’s glorious history, and the trac- es of their rule over these lands remain visible today. The modern Serbian state emerged on the territory of this city, which is why its medieval monasteries are must-see tourist destinations. Žiča is the endowment of Stefan the First-Crowned, who had his corona- tion there in 1217. Located in a fertile plain just six kilometres from Kraljevo, legend has it that seven Serbian kings were crowned in Žiča monastery, with a new door opened for each corona- tion that only the crowned ruler could pass through, before the new door was bricked up immediately. That’s why Ziča is also dubbed the seven-door monastery. Several Serbian patriarchs had their seat in this monastery, which is why many historians consider it the first bicameral parliament in Europe. IN THE EAST – RAVANICA Ravanica Monastery is one of those Serbian monasteries that’s significant not only because of its great age and architectural worth, but also because of the traditions and stories associat- ed with it. Erecyed in 1377, it stands at the foot of Kučaj Mountains, close to Ćuprija. Its benefactor was Prince La- zar Hrebeljanović, who died in Kosovo and whose relics have been preserved at this holy spot since 1392. This mon- astery has since become a place of pil- grimage and the centre of the creation of the cult of Prince Lazar. In terms of architecture and art, Ravanica is the best example of the beginnings of the Moravian school.
RAVANICA
BENEATH THE WESTERN MOUNTAINS – MILEŠEVA
FRUŠKA GORA – HOLY MOUNTAIN
The town of Prijepolje is located in south- western Serbia on the three-way border between Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. A picturesque town at the heart of Western Serbia, it has a rich cul- tural heritage, beautiful nature and hos- pitable locals. Just six kilometres from the city, the road will lead you to one of Serbia’s old- est monasteries. Mileševa was founded by King Vladislav, son of Stefan the First- Crowned and grandson of Nemanja him- self, in the first half of the 13 th century. This temple owes its positive reputation and high spot in the church hierarchy to the fact that the body of Saint Sava was laid to rest there. The exact date of the church’s construction remains a mystery, but it is certain to have been built be- tween 1219 and 1235. This last year saw King Vladislav build another vestibule to hold the body of his uncle, Saint Sava, who fell ill and died in Bulgaria following a long journey through the holy lands of the East. Mileševa hosted the 1377 coro- nation of King Tvrtko, who was crowned king of Bosnia and Serbia in Mileseva, as the monastery was then located on the territory of his country. Mileševa is renowned in particular for its beautiful frescoes, the most famous of which is the White Angel that forms part of the composition Myrrh-bearer at Christ’s Tomb. The picture depicts the Archangel Gabriel dressed in a white chi- ton sitting on a stone and pointing to the place of Christ’s resurrection, i.e. his empty tomb. The first satellite transmis- sion of a video signal in 1962, beamed between Europe and North America, contained an image of a White Angel, while the same signal was sent into space as a symbol of peace just a few years later.
Fruška Gora is dubbed the Serbian Athos because it was once home to as many as 35 monasteries, while 17 me- dieval ones remain preserved to this day. The majority of them were creat- ed in the 16 th century and each repre- sents an exceptional cultural wealth. Meanwhile, the frescoes, as well as the very appearance of the monasteries and churches, depict different histor- ical periods and building styles, from the Serbian-Byzantine to Baroque styles. The walls of many of these places of worship are decorated with works of art by our greatest Baroque painters. Familiarise yourself with the monasteries of Krušedol, Rakovac, Beočin (famous for the icon of the mi- raculous Virgin Mary), Novo and Staro Hopovo et al. There’s also the famous Šišatovac, which Žiča’s monks built as a refuge on the western slopes of the moun- tain. The surrounding area has been settled for centuries by, among others, Ličani – including relatives of Niko- la Tesla - settled. The famous Serbian scientist is connected to this monas- tery by the spring of Saint Anastasia. According to legend, the monastery’s water cured a little Tesla of chol- era. When he rose from his sickbed, he saw a glowing white dove that fol- lowed him for the rest of his life. It is said that it was then that he decid- ed to study technology instead of the- ology. Locals even say that it was in this place that Tesla became interest- ed in electricity. Of course, as always with stories about great people, there’s a little fantasy, a little reality, and a lot of love, so it’s hard to say what’s true and what isn’t...
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