Medieval Heritage

Medieval Serbia had a very turbulent history in the political, economic, and cultural sense. It held a prominent place in the Europe of that time. The state reached the top of its development during the reign of the Nemanjić dynasty, when numerous monasteries and developed cities arose, representing an essential feature of the Serbian national identity. Their remains bear witness to the achievements of civilization in the region and are among the most beautiful examples of medieval architecture.

Enthusiasts searching for something truly authentic simply have to visit our medieval monasteries and churches. The oldest monasteries are mainly concentrated in the valleys of rivers Ibar and Raška. It was built in the heart of the Serbian Medieval State.

In Serbia, there are more than two hundred monasteries, 54 of which, have been declared cultural monuments, while Stari Ras (Old Ras) with Sopoćani, Studenica and the medieval Serbian monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija, namely Dečani, Gračanica, Pećka patrijaršija (Patriarchate of Peć) and Bogorodica Ljeviška (Our Lady of Ljeviš) have been inscribed into the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

These masterpieces were noted for their important cultural and spiritual heritage, which are of permanent value to European history, and the whole world. These holy places with its impressive frescoes, icons, manuscripts and numerous works of applied art are significant part of Serbia’s cultural, historical and national wealth. In 2019 Serbs are celebrating 8 centuries of their autocephalous Christian-Orthodox Church, that paved the way in 1220 to the foundation of the Serbian medieval state, kingdom of the Nemanjić dynasty, after our first archbishop St. Sava had crowned his brother Stefan as first-crowned King of Serbia.