Nestled on the steep slopes of Ovčar and Kablar mountains lies a unique community of monasteries built in the 14th and 15th centuries.The monasteries were built by monks and builders who sought refuge in this inhospitable gorge, as they retreated from the invading Ottoman Turkish forces.
In the 14th Century, the region of Kosovo and Metohija was the political and spiritual heart of medieval Serbia. It was at this time that Serbian King Milutin erected more than 40 monasteries in a relatively small area, hiring only the best Byzantine building masters. Influences of Byzantine art are visible both in architecture and inside the churches, on the frescoes which have been the object of admiration of visitors and art connoisseurs for centuries. Some of the frescoes found here are not just masterpieces of Serbian fresco painting – they are unrivalled on an international scale.
On the slopes of Fruška Gora mountain, there are as many as 17 medieval monasteries. This mountain became the mainstay of Serbian cultural revival during the Ottoman rule, when oppression forced the centre of spirituality to move north to what was then Austria-Hungary.
In the late 14th and early 15th Centuries, numerous monasteries sprung up all over the principality of Prince Lazar and his son Despot Stefan, during a period which saw the country’s culture thrive.
In the valley of the river Ibar, between the cities of Kraljevo and Novi Pazar, lies a group of medieval monasteries built in the 12th and 13th Centuries. In what was then the fledgling Serbian state of Raška, rulers of the Nemanjić dynasty erected several monumental churches as their endowments, thus setting off a tradition of pious endowments that has continued into the present day. Built in an authentic style – a fusion of Byzantine architecture and Romanesque decoration – and adorned with some of the most beautiful medieval frescoes, the monasteries in the “Valley of the Kings” are an invaluable contribution to the world’s cultural heritage.
The Ottoman Empire brought new order, new administration and new religion to Southeast Europe. However, it did not completely erase all the old social relations and institutions. It partially accepted them and adapted them to its state model. This synthesis gave rise to a new civilisational and cultural circle, still present in most Balkan societies. It is known as the “Ottoman cultural heritage”.
Serbia is a country rich in history and culture. Synagogues stand out among its treasures to witness the spirituality and artistic trends of the past. These buildings, masterfully integrated into urban units, form an important part of our country’s tourist offer.
Protestant churches make an important part of the cultural and religious diversity of Serbia. Although not so rich in number, their history and tradition have left a deep mark, especially in Vojvodina, where Slovak and Hungarian Protestant communities stand out with their rich heritage.
Serbia, a country of diversity and rich cultural heritage, houses true pearls of sacral architecture. The less-known but extremely valuable Catholic churches are an indispensable part of our country’s tourist offer. They are witnesses of historical events and cultural intertwining, leaving their mark on art, architecture and everyday life.
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