Masterpieces of Medieval Art and Architecture combined with Pristine Nature in Serbia
Requirements:
No special requirements
Serbian pride, bravery, and sacrifice are all summed up in epic stories about The Battle of Kosovo and the Ottoman invasion of Europe. During these dark days, Serbian ruler Prince Lazar builds a monastery, as all his predecessors did, begging for divine intervention in order to save his people and realm. Ravanica monastery is a place where the tragedy of Serbian suffering, the cult of the legendary Kosovo heroes, and Holy Prince Lazar begins. For a short period of time, Lazar’s son- Despot Stefan managed to do the impossible; make Serbia one of the most prominent European countries while maintaining peace with both Christian West and Muslim East and postponing the Ottoman invasion for a few decades. Despot Stefan was also known as a great philosopher, warrior, poet, diplomat, and politician. He was a member and the “first knight” of the monarchical chivalric Order of the Dragon - a society of the most sublime European nobles, whose sole purpose was to defend Europe from the perfidious enemy. The fortified monastery Manasija, built by his order, became one of the most beautiful achievements of the time, with wall paintings enhanced with gold and lapis lazuli. Like all the medieval monasteries in Serbia, these two were also built in places blessed with beautiful nature, peace, and tranquility. With its 4.5 kilometers long tunnels and plenty of decorations, the 80 million years old Resava cave is one of the oldest natural marvels in Serbia. Just a few hops away in Lisine, one can actually enjoy a proper shepherd's lunch, just below the waterfall, listening to its mighty roar.
Enjoy natural wonders while listening to stories about late medieval Europe and visit places of most exceptional importance and beauty.
Our guide will pick you up in front of your accommodation at 8 am. During a two-hour drive, you will hear stories about medieval Serbia and the Battle of Kosovo. In Ravanica monastery, we will see the remains of the fortifications, and the Ascension church that guards the final resting place of Holy Prince Lazar. Discover why his body was carried by the monks from the deserted monastery and moved around for 300 hundred years until it was brought back. The road leads us to Resava cave. Passing the gate, the temperature will fall down to 7 degrees Celsius and humidity will climb to almost 100% and we will walk through 800 meters of natural art galleries. It is lunchtime, so we will head to Lisine, where we will enjoy a meal just below a 25 meters high waterfall. Our final stop is the largest monastery complex in Serbia, Manasija monastery endowed by Stefan Lazarević, the last great ruler of medieval Serbia after the Battle of Kosovo. Its church is circled by massive ramparts and 11 strong towers and ranks among the most beautiful creations of European fresco painting. We will admire the famous Warrior Saints in motion fresco painted on the Byzantine blue colored background and see the portrait fresco and burial place of Despot Stefan. The Order of the Dragon is long gone, but modern European knights still gather here once a year for a medieval festival and tournaments, bringing back the sense of the old days.
