The Manasija monastery is the legacy of despot Stefan Lazarevic (son of King Lazar) from 1406 to 1418. The monastery is surrounded by a thick, well-preserved wall, with 11 towers. Of the magnificent painting (2000 sq.m) which adorns the monastery, one half has been preserved, the half depicting the "Holy Warriors" - a picture included in all the encyclopedias. The iconostasis is the work of the "Markovic workshop from Pozarevac," and was painted in 1863. The complex represents the progress of Serb construction craft and painting prior to the imminent tragedy.
The monastery Sisojevac was completed in 1380; its founder and patron was the iguman of Hilandar - Sisoje Sinajit, whose vault is in the church (along the southern wall). The wall-paintings have been all but totally eradicated by destruction and fires. The iconostasis is a beautiful work of modern art.
The founder and patron of the Ravanica monastery was the saint and prince Lazar, in the eighth decade of 14th century. The remains of St. Lazar are in a casket in front of the altar. St. Lazar's younger son, Vuk and St Romilo Ravanicki are also buried in this church. The monastery suffered burning and damage in 1396, 1398, 1436, 1686 and towards the end of 18th century. The symbolic wall paintings were completed in 1392. The iconostasis dates from a later period and was created in the workshop of the famous Janja Moler. A contemporary document tells us that in 1459 the Turks carried away 12 camel-loads of riches "all gold and silver."
Lazarev grad, with the Lazarica church is located in the center of Krusevac and, along with the monument to the prince-saint, is a symbol of this city. The construction of the city and the church was finished between 1376 and 1378. The wall painting was subsequently destroyed in the burning and pillaging, while the iconostasis is a fine work dating from 1844. The monument to Prince Lazar was made in 1971 by the famous sculptor Nebojsa Mitric.
The Veluce monastery was founded by Despot Ivanis, who Emperor Dusan addressed as "parent." This might have been the middle of 14th century. Fresco painting started in the middle of 15th century, while the iconostasis might date back to the year 1834.
The Ljubostinja monastery was founded by Princess Milica, the widow of Prince Lazar in the period 1390-1398. In the Old Slavic language Ljubov–stinja means "place of love," as on this location, a fair has taken place where the couple met for the first time. Upon building the monastery and after her husband's death, Milica became a nun and founded a large community of nuns consisting of widows whose husbands fought in the Battle of Kosovo. The fresco paintings date back to the period 1392-1403, while the iconostasis of the year 1820 presents a fine piece of work of the period of Classicism. In the church parvis, there are two neatly arranged reliquaries in the form of a sarcophagus, with the holy relics of Princess Milica (nun by the name of Eufrosinia, + year 1405) on the left side, while the body of the well-known and wretched poetess and caring court lady at the court of Princess Milica, Jelena (nun by the name of Jefimija) lies on the right side of the church. |