The Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel on Knjaževac in Andrijevica is one of the most significant shrines and historical symbols of the Vasojevic region.
Key facts about this temple:
Origin and foundation: Construction was started in 1887 in commemoration of Vasojević's victory over the Turks at Bukova Poljana (1877). The foundation stone was laid by prince Nikola I Petrović, who bought the land for the construction needs. The locality was named Knjaževac in his honor.
Collective construction: The church was built by the collective efforts of the entire Vasojević tribe under the leadership of Duke Miljan Vukov. According to folk tradition and agreement, every gun-carrier from the region was obliged to bring a stone from the other side of the river Lim in order to build the temple.
Architecture: It was built on the model of the Raš architectural school and the Morača monastery. It is an impressive stone building with a dome.
Artistic value (Ikonostas): The icons for the iconostasis and liturgical books arrived as a gift from Russia (Petrograd Academy of Arts). On the iconostasis, in addition to the standard performances, there are also Slavic enlighteners St. Cyril and Methodius.
Historical significance and environment: It is located in the Knjaževac memorial park. In front of the church itself, there are memorial busts of notable figures of this region - Abbot Mojsije Zečević and Duke Miljan Vukov. Saint Michael the Archangel is also the baptismal glory of the majority of Vasojević.
