The photo shows the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (better known as the Voljavac Monastery or the Virgin of Bistrica) in the village of Voljavac, at the confluence of the Bistrica and Lim rivers, in the municipality of Bijelo Polje. These are the most important facts about this ancient shrine: History and foundation: According to folklore and historical sources (such as the Charter of King Vladislav from the 13th century), the church dates from the 12th century (around 1186) and is considered one of the earliest endowments of Stefan Nemanja or members of his family in Srednje Polimlje. sige/hewn stone in the spirit of early Nemanjic architecture. Next to the church is a newer brick belfry. Stormy suffering: At the end of the 18th century, the church was demolished by the Turks. According to local legend, the famous stone bridge nearby (Lozna Luka) was built from the stone of the destroyed church.Renovation and monastery life: The church was in ruins until its restoration in the 20th century. At the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s, it was thoroughly renovated, a monastery lodge was built, and today it is an active women's monastery in Voljavac. Archaeological significance: Around the church there is an old medieval cemetery with tombstones (stećci), one of which features a carved sword. Virgin Mary).
