ORTHODOX CHURCHES

St. George church, Oplenac, Topola, Serbia
In 1903, Serbian king Petar I Karadjordjevic has chosen beautiful spot on top of Oplenac to build his endowment, St George Church. Construction has begun on May 1st, 1910 and by 1912 it was nearly finished but it was harshly interrupted by future events; first by balkan wars and then with world war one. After Austrian army occupied Serbia, church was brutally pillaged and damaged, even graves in crypts were desecrated.After glorious liberation of homeland by Serbian army in 1918, reparation and construction of the church were resumed but unfortunately King Petar I didn't live to see his endowment fully finished. He died on August 16th, 1921 and his heir king Aleksandar I Karadjordjevic finished it in 1930. See more photos

The Church of Holy Ascension, Orasac, Serbia
This place is particulary important and famous in Serbian history as starting point of first Serbian rebellion against Turks in 1804. Church of Holy ascension was built between 1868. and 1870. as part of wider memorial complex dedicated to this event but it remains unknown by whom. Iconostasis in this church painted by one of the most famous Serbian artists of 19th century, Steva Todorovic represents exceptional artistic value and consists of 24 icons depicting various saints and new Testament events. See more photos

The Church of Holy Archangel Michael, Herceg Novi, Montenegro
This church was built during the Austro-Hungarian rule over the city, which is due to persistent citizens of Herceg Novi, who first bought land in the Old Town, and later collected funds for the building of the church.
The church was built on the spot where remains of the former church were, and it was erected as endowment of  king Stefan Tvrtko I Kotromanic. The old church was destroyed by the Turks, and the land on which it stood was purchased by citizens of Herceg Novi in 1858 for 4602 forints.Construction of the church began in 1883 and ended in 1911 when the church was consecrated.The church was made by architect Milan Karlovac and is a mixture of Byzantine, Gothic and Baroque style. It was built of stone from Korcula, and its interior is adorned by iconostasis of white Italian marble, as well as icons made by Czech artist Franjo Cigler. See more photos

The Church of St. Luke (Kotor, Montenegro) was built in 1195. This modest church is the only sacral object in the city which wasn't severely damaged during great earthquake. Immediately upon completion of construction, church was decorated with frescos but only some fragments on southern wall remained so far. At first this was a Catholic church, but after great earthquake, in 1667 it was given to Orthodox christians, so it still has two oltars - Orthodox and Catholic one. The floor of this church consists of thumbstones, because until 1930's citizens of Kotor entombed their deceased inside the church. See more photos

ORTHODOX MONASTERIES

Ravanica monastery is located in central Serbia, near Ćuprija. It was built, together with Church of Holy Ascension, by emperor Lazar in second half of 14th century. Besides religious purpose, monastery was also important cultural and educational center with particulary vivid literary activity resulting, among other things in most of epic poems dedicated to Battle of Kosovo being created here. In 1686, monastery was devastated by Turkish army which invaded Serbia and most of the monks were murdered. Survivors fled to the north, led by Arsenije Carnojevic. Since they couldn't return to their occupied home they settled down in abandoned monastery "Vrdnik" many miles away and in memory of abandoned home they named it "Mala Ravanica", which means "Little Ravanica". See more photos

"Mala Ravanica" monastery is one of the most important monasteries on Fruska gora. It was founded approximately at the turn of 15th and 16th century but it remains unknown exactly when and by whom. Part of the surviving monks from Ravanica found sanctuary in this place, revived it and brought relics of Emperor Lazar with them. Despite the fact that monastery church is one of Holy Ascension, in memory of Emperor Lazar and all the Serbs fallen during Battle of Kosovo, this monastery celebrates Vidovdan as patron saint. See more photos

Manasija monastery, also known as Resava is one of the most important artefacts of Serbian mediaval culture and architecture.Located in the vicinity of Despotovac, it was built by Stefan Lazarevic in 1418 and construction lasted for ten years. Entire monastery area is surrounded by massive walls which had defensive purpose at the time. Monastery church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. See more photos

Pokajnica monastery,  near Velika Plana was initially built as wooden church and it is dedicated to transfer of relics of St. Nicholas. It is also known as cultural monument and asset of exceptional importance. It was built in 1818 by one of Serbian national leaders of that time, Vujica Vulicevic. Since he was involved in murder of his Godfather, Karadjordje, it is believed that building this curch was an act of remorse, therefore the name "Pokajnica" ("Penitent"). See more photos