Get Acquainted With The Historical Heritage Of Kraljevo, Serbia

Get Acquainted With The Historical Heritage Of Kraljevo, Serbia
Zoran
Zoran 
Published
| 3 min read

The country of Serbia has been a place exposed to various restless and turbulent currents in the last millennium, which shaped its countryside and people like a carver’s knife shapes wood. There are a number of surviving architectural and fortification masterpieces throughout Serbia that such times spared to a smaller or larger extent, and the Kraljevo region, in central Serbia, treasures some of the most significant structures.

Studenica Monastery

get acquainted with the historical heritage of kraljevo, serbia | studenica monastery

Most of the Serbian medieval heritage is related to the Nemanjic Dynasty, which ruled Serbia until the Turks conquered it, and the Studenica Monastery is among its most shining jewels. Surrounded by hills of the Radocelo Mountain and set in a wonderfully green environment, Studenica was founded by Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjic Dynasty and the medieval Serbian state.

The Studenica complex used to have a couple of churches, but today only the Church of the Virgin (in the forefront) and the King’s Church (in the background) remain.

The Virgin’s Church was commissioned by Stefan Nemanja and his youngest son, Saint Sava (known as Rastko), and was used as a model by other Nemanjic rulers, who proved to be fruitful founders. Featuring Romanesque and Byzantine elements, the church’s artistic and architectural values are priceless. Although the church suffered during the Turkish reign, a couple of masterpieces of Serbian art were recovered, with the Assumption of the Virgin, Christ the Judge Who is to Come and, especially, the Crucifixion among them.

The King’s Church (originally the Church of St. Joachim and Anne) is much smaller because the King Milutin, Nemanja’s great-grandson, didn’t find himself worthy of outstripping his great-grandfather’s achievement. Nevertheless, the King’s Church boasts an extraordinary collection of frescoes, including the illustrations of the Virgin with baby Christ, the king, St. Sava and St. Simeon (the monastic name of Stefan Nemanja).

Zica Monastery

get acquainted with the historical heritage of kraljevo, serbia | zica monastery

Zica Monastery is another extraordinary example of Serbian medieval architecture, founded and completed by Stefan, Nemanja’s middle son, with the aid of St. Sava. Stefan was to become the first Nemanjic and Serbian king, known as Stefan the First-Crowned, and he received the crown from hands of his younger brother St. Sava, in Zica. The monastery is similar in style to Studenica, and it used to be the traditional crowning place of Serbian rulers, when circumstances were favorable. Unlike other Serbian monasteries, Zica features the characteristic reddish color, which symbolizes the blood of the faithful who died while defending their faith.

Just like Studenica, Zica’s architectural style is mostly Byzantine, including the church’s paintings. Zica suffered even more than Studenica since its founding, but the monastery has a couple of extraordinary frescoes that were recovered in numerous restorations. Portraits of Stefan the First-Crowned and of the apostles Paul and Peter are among the most significant.

Maglic Castle

get acquainted with the historical heritage of kraljevo, serbia | maglic castle

Overlooking the Ibar highway, between Kraljevo and Studenica, the Maglic Castle occupies the top of a hill that is surrounded by the Ibar River from three sides. The formidable fortress has 8 towers, connected with walls, and the Maglic Castle also used to be a little town once. The town’s interior is divided into two courtyards, and the remains of the former great hall and the church are its most significant vestiges.

It remains inconclusive who founded the Maglic Castle and in what year; some sources credit Stefan the First-Crowned, others his youngest son King Uros I or other Serbian medieval rulers. What is certain, though, is the castle’s name origins. Maglic was named after fog (magla in Serbian), which frequently conceals the castle.

Maglic can be accessed through a suspension bridge over the Ibar River and after some climbing (up to half an hour).

What else you can see around Kraljevo?

Ljubostinja Monastery, located near Trstenik — halfway between Kraljevo and Krusevac, is another significant medieval heritage site of the Serbian state. Vrnjacka Banja (Vrnjacka Spa) is one of the oldest spas in Serbia, and the most visited. The St. Petka Monastery, devoted to the venerated Serbian saint, is a more recent addition, with a few artifacts that were closely related to the saint.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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In Zoran's writing career, he extensively covers global destinations and travel companies, examining cities, regions, countries, and cruising entities. Beyond sharing knowledge, he engages with...Read more

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