Eastern Serbia
Medieval Mysteries, Monasteries and Marvelous Wonder
Discovering the medieval side of Serbia exploring monasteries and natural wonders of the East. The incredible works of art of the 14th-century Ravanica monastery and the 15th-century Manasija monastery with their impressive architecture and the stunning frescoes. Then a walk on a cooler and deeper side and I headed underground to explore the ancient Resava Cave.
1st Stop
Ravanica Monastery
Our first stop was the Ravanica monastery. It was the endowment of Prince Lazar built between 1375 and 1377, with its frescoes painted in the years preceding the famous Battle of Kosovo. Prince Lazar is one of the most respected Serbia’s rulers and a saint of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The battle of Kosovo for Serbs is widely seen as a noble defeat, a tragedy but a source of great national pride. The story of a proud nation bravely defending its freedom became the country’s most important national myth.
Generations were raised on that legacy, and it was a fuel that gave them the strength to endure during a long period of Turkish rule. The church is original in its architectural style, a blend of the Mount Athos tradition of the trefoil base and the cross-in-square five-domed model.
Ravanica Monastery
14th-century church & monastery featuring intricate frescoes on its interior walls.
Ravanica Monastery
14th-century church & monastery featuring intricate frescoes on its interior walls.
Ravanica Monastery
14th-century church & monastery featuring intricate frescoes on its interior walls.
Ravanica Monastery
14th-century church & monastery featuring intricate frescoes on its interior walls.
2nd Stop
Resava Cave & Veliki Buk Waterfall
Next, I visited the Resava cave, one of the oldest in Serbia, and is estimated to be 80 million years old, with some of the older formations dating back around 45 million years. The cave interior has numerous halls, channels, galleries, columns, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, and petrified waterfalls. Each section has been named according to what the formations look like, such as the Concert Hall with the great organ.
In one section there is a stalactites hanging directly above a stalagmites and they are just 1 cm apart from each other. They have named this formation “The 1000 year kiss” because it takes 1000 years for the stalactites and stalagmites to grown 1cm. Very cool!!
Then a quick stop at the Veliki Buk waterfall which is approximately 20-25 feet high and is one of Serbia’s highest waterfalls.
Resava Cave
It is one of the largest cave systems in Serbia, with the corridors about 4.5 kilometres and is estimated to be 80 million years old.
Resava Cave
It is one of the largest cave systems in Serbia, with the corridors about 4.5 kilometres and is estimated to be 80 million years old.
Resava Cave
It is one of the largest cave systems in Serbia, with the corridors about 4.5 kilometres and is estimated to be 80 million years old.
Resava Cave
It is one of the largest cave systems in Serbia, with the corridors about 4.5 kilometres and is estimated to be 80 million years old.
3rd Stop
Manasija Monastery
Manasija monastery is one of the last monuments to Serbian medieval culture, raised by Despot Stefan Lazarević, son of Prince Lazar. The church’s construction and fortification started in 1406 and finished in 1418. The impressive walls with 11 towers, surrounded by a trench, have been a modern system for the monastery’s defense.
Frescoes in Manasija are among the most beautiful in Serbia, and in my opinion this was the most beautiful monastery I have seen in Serbia.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Manasija Monastery
Walled 1418 Serbian Orthodox complex that retains some original, famed frescoes & its mosaic floor.
Lasting Thoughts
Victor Tours for the Win
This was my second day trip with Victor Tours and my guide was Stefan today. It was indeed a day well spent and I highly recommend the tour company for sure. They also do private and custom tours if you find yourself wanting something a little more private and suited exactly to your needs.
Jackelyn Approved 
Please note that I have not received these products for free or at a discounted price in exchange for my opinion. There may be links that are affiliate links but at the time of posting this review, I have not received any monetary kickbacks.