The Morača Monastery (dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is one of the most famous, beautiful and significant Serbian medieval monasteries. It is located on the right bank of the Morača River, in the municipality of Kolašin, right next to the main road leading to Podgorica.
Here are the key details about this shrine:
Founder and construction: The monastery was built in 1252 by prince Stefan Nemanjić, son of Vukan Nemanjić and grandson of the great prefect Stefan Nemanja. Stefan was buried in the monastery itself.
Architecture: The complex consists of a large cathedral church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a smaller church of St. Nicholas and guest houses. It was built in the Raška style, with a single nave base, a dome and an exterior of hewn stone. The richly decorated Romanesque portal gives the entrance a special beauty.
Famous frescoes and art:
Painting from the 13th century is preserved in the diaconicon (altar section). The most famous fresco-ensemble depicts scenes from the life of the prophet Elijah, among which the fresco "The Raven Feeds the Prophet Elijah" stands out, which represents one of the most famous works of Serbian medieval painting.
Due to the Turkish devastation, a large part of the church was repainted in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the leading painters of that time worked there (such as Master Strahinja from Budimlje and Zograf Radul).
Turbulent history: At the end of the 15th century (1505), the Ottomans burned the monastery and removed the lead roof, so the church lay desolate for almost 70 years. It was restored in the second half of the 16th century with the efforts of Abbot Toma and the people's champions.
Role in the liberation movements: During the centuries, Morača was not only a spiritual, but also a political and national center. It was where assemblies of the people's elders were held, decisions were made about resistance to the Ottomans, and alliances of Montenegrin and mountain tribes were made.
Attraction and natural environment: The monastery is also known for its beautiful surroundings — it is located on a natural terrace above which descends the Svetigora waterfall, whose water flows into the Morača river.
