Patriarchate of Peć Monastery

Serbian Jerusalem, the heart of Serbian culture and firm faith. The monastery complex near Peć, at the entrance to the Rugova gorge. It consists of four churches with a common chancel, the Nemanjić endowment is one of the most significant monuments of the Serbian past. For centuries, it has contained the mausoleum of Serbian archbishops and patriarchs.

Pecka Patrijarsija is a lovely complex of churches, monastery and old ruins. The energy in this place is very nice and the church from outside beautiful and inside very interesting consisted from different chapels 💒. The nun was friendly and you can buy souvenirs from souvenirs shop. Overall recommend it! And has no entrance fee - only passport control in the entrance.

It`s a huge complex. When entering the parking with your vehicle you will be asked to show passport. The monastery is quite big with several premises. It is absolutely beautiful inside. Taking photos inside is forbidden. The nuns speak surprisingly good English. There is a free toilet in the monastery garden.

Extend your stay in the region and delay that flight of yours if necessary and come witness this fascinating history, and spiritual energy. This 800 something years old Patriarchate is one of a kind. Surrounded by exceptional vistas on both sides, guarded and tended by some of the kindest souls, and harbouring some of the best religious imagery I have seen to date, a visit to this Patriarchate feels like a glimpse into the heaven. I thought I had seen some amazing religious architecture and art before, but they all pale in comparison to this one. If only more such places of worship could have been preserved properly everywhere… From Turkey with much love.

Nice to see if its on your way other else no need to go

Gorgeous interiors of the church. Nice tranquil grounds to relax. Water bottle filling station. Highly recommend visit! And they’ll ask to see your ID before entering so remember to bring this

My favorite monastery we visited in Kosovo. Loved the entire complex. The stream, the flowers, the garden, the ruins, the nunnery, the tower, the buildings, the setting in the mountains and especially the monastery. Absolutely worthwhile visit while in Kosovo.

At the eastern end of the Rugova Gorge, where the Bistrica River flows into the Dukagjini Plain, is the Peć Patriarchate, the spiritual seat of the Serbian nation and also the mausoleum of the Serbian archbishops and patriarchs. The monastery complex includes four churches, of which the first church, dedicated to the Apostles, was built at the beginning of the 13th century by Archbishop Arsenije I. In 1291, the Serbian church seat moved permanently to the Peć Monastery. In 1324 the Church of St. Demetrius was built and in 1337 the Church of the Holy Mother of God Hodegetria and the Church of St. Nicholas followed. In 1346, the Archbishop of Peć was elevated to Patriarch by King Dušan, making the Serbian Orthodox Church fully autocephalous (independent). Under threat from the Ottomans, the monastery was abandoned in 1463, but in 1557 the Patriarchate of Peć was restored by Grand Vizier Mehmet Sokolli. Many of the current frescoes were painted in the 17th century, including by the famous painters Georgije Mitrofanović and Radul. From the beginning of the 18th century, the influence of the Phanariotes (influential Greek Orthodox families) increased and after Serbs were excluded from the office of patriarch, the Patriarchate of Peć was dissolved in 1766. It was not until 1913 that an archiepiscopal see returned to the monastery. After WWI and the formation of the kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, the Serbian Patriarchate is renewed and the primatial seat returns to the Monastery of Peć. The monastery has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2006. Unfortunately, due to the current political climate, the monastery has to be protected by KFOR troops or the Kosovo Police. Nevertheless, the monastery is a beautiful historical and cultural destination.