Studenica Monastery

Beautiful, peaceful, holy. This of the beaten path monastery is worth the visit especially for those of Serbian heritage. Monastery Studenica was built in the 11th century by Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja, who later become the 1st king of Serbia and the founder of Nemanjić dynasty. The interior is adorned by beautiful frescoes amongst which is the Studenica Crusifiction. A large amount of Byzantine blue paint was used for this fresco. Byzantine blue is saturated monarch purple with blue undertones. At the time, this pigment was valued more than gold. Just a few kings were adorned with capes in this color. Artists such as Raphael, Botticelli and Titian whose patrons were rich and influential were able to use this color in their masterpieces. How was a prince of a small Balkan country able to acquire this paint is still a mystery. Stefan Nemanja, St. Simeon both brothers of St. Sava as well as their mother Anastasija are entombed in Studenica.

Studenica Monastery is probably the most famous, beautiful and largest monastery in Serbia, and a UNESCO heritage site. It was built in the 12th century by the rulers Stephan Namanja and his son Stephan the First-Crowned, of Nemanjic dynasty, and later expanded by other rulers. There are 3 churches (one was closed), as well as ruins of another one, monastic residences and other buidings. Churches are adorned with amazing frescoes from different periods, the most famous and well preserved one being the Crucifixion, fron 1209, in the main church. Studenica Monastery is one of the highest achievements of Byzantine-style art anywhere, and has to be visited on any tour to Serbia.

This is one of the Byzantine Monasteries listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site. It is an impressive fully operational Orthodox Serbian Church containing priceless Byzantine frescoes. The architecture is impressive with a combination of materials and styles that came to be known as the “Raška School”. A gorgeous doorway leads into a narthex (church entry) on the west end that contains a large baptismal font. The walls of the narthex are lined with frescoes. The nave is located through a doorway on the east end of this room and is also beautifully done. Built by Stefan Nemanja when he abdicated as king of Serbia in 1190 it has been well maintained by the Nemanjić Dynasty since its completion.

This monastery is one of the most beautiful ones I've been to so far. It's located amongst mountains and the scenery is just amazing. I would recommend coming to the monastery on a working day rather than a weekend as I assume it'd be less crowded. When we visited, there was a lot of high schoolers due to a school trip and there was quite a bit of tourtists as well.

Wonderful place and surroundings. The Studenica Monastery is a 12th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery near Kraljevo. It is one of the largest and richest Serb Orthodox monasteries.

Beautiful, very peaceful and spiritual. An ideal place to gather your thoughts and to enjoy in silence. For its value and importance for Serbian and world heritage UNESCO included the Studenica monastery on the list of World Heritage sites. Founded in 12th century by Stefan Nemanja, the first in the famous Nemanjic dynasty m, whose burial place is within the church. Here is also a burial place of his son Stephen the First-Crowned, the first Serbian king crowned by the Catholic Church.

The best spiritual place I have ever been to. The hill, nature, energy of the place and amazing monastery itself. All was out of this world. Mesto koje svaki srbin i srpkinja moraju bar jednom da posete.

This place smells history! The route to access it is also amazing. Culture and nature perfectly combined.