Church of the Virgin
White marble facades.
BrankaVV — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dekanski — CC BY-SA 4.0 · BrankaVV — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marija Bralović — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Goran Lidija Rajičić — CC BY-SA 4.0
Studenica Monastery is a 12th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery in a mountain valley, 39 km southwest of Kraljevo. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and UNESCO describes it as the largest and richest of Serbia's Orthodox monasteries. Stefan Nemanja, founder of the medieval Serbian state, established it in the late 12th century. The first stage of building was finished by spring 1196, when he abdicated and became a monk. His son Sava later moved his relics here, and it became the political, cultural and spiritual centre of the state. King Radoslav added a narthex in 1235, and King Milutin built a small church of saints Joachim and Anna. The monastery later suffered damage, an earthquake and fire, and was restored in turn. The round enclosure holds several churches. The foremost is the Church of the Virgin, with its white marble facades, dome and carved portals, and beside it stands the small Church of the King. Both preserve a valuable collection of Byzantine painting from the 13th and 14th centuries. Wooded hills and green courtyards surround the site. It is a living place of worship, so dress modestly, keep your voice down and ask before taking pictures inside. It is 39 km in a straight line from Novi Pazar, and the road runs through the mountains, so a car or organised tour suits it better than a bus. An early start lets you combine it with Novi Pazar in one day.
White marble facades.
Small and finely built.
Churches set in a green court.
Southwest of Kraljevo, central Serbia
Stefan Nemanja, founder of the medieval Serbian state, in the late 12th century.
Usually yes, dressed modestly and quietly. Ask before taking pictures inside.