JAT AIRLIFT
SERBIA ALONG THE MORAVA RIVER

This tour refers to a large group of monasteries (some 80-100) located close to the confluence of three rivers, the Southern Morava, the Western Morava, and the Great Morava. The monasteries, and this region in general are marked by a unique style of architecture and painting.

Day one: Morning visit to the monasteries Manasija, Sisojevac, and Ravanica. Lunch in Cuprija. In the afternoon, visit to Krusevac; tour of Lazarev Grad and the Lazarica church. Dinner, overnight stay, breakfast in Krusevac.

Day two: In the morning, visit to the monasteries Veluce and Ljubostinje. Visit to Vrnjacka Banja, for a pleasant afternoon stay. Lunch, dinner, overnight stay, breakfast in Vrnjacka Banja.

Day three: Morning visit to the monastery Kalenic, followed by visit to Topola. Lunch in Topola. After lunch, walking tour of Topola; visit to Karadjordjev Grad and Oplenac. Return to Belgrade.

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. 

The Kalenic monastery was built in the period 1407-1410 and is one of the most abundantly ornamented monasteries of the "Moravska School" and Serbian architecture. The 14 rosettes of the façade make the exceptional plastic ornaments even more special. The monastery is the foundation of Bogdan, a highly ranked prelate of Prince Lazar and later of Despot Stefan. The fresco painting of the period of its construction suffered severe damages and was preserved due to its frequent restoration in the course of the centuries. Extremely valuable, its paintings might compare with the pieces of art of Andrei Rubliov who painted in Russia about a decade later. The "Wedding in Kana" ranks among special ones and is on the south wall.

Topola is the ancestral home of the Karadjordjevic royal family, and together with Karadjordjev Grad and the hill Oplenac it is the site of landmarks belonging to the Karadjordjevic heritage.

Karadjordjev Grad embraces: a church, built in 1806 by Karadjordje, where in 1819 his bodily remains were transferred and buried for the second time by the order of Prince Milos, a monument to Karadjordje, and a museum of his time.

In Oplenac, the feature landmark is a marble church dedicated to St. Djordje, built from 1910 to 1934. The patrons were King Petar I and King Aleksandar Karadjordjevic I. The tombs of both patrons, the other members of the Karadjordjevic family, and Karadjordje are in this church. This was the third burial place for Karadjordje's remains, which were transferred in 1930. The walls are entirely decorated in mosaics, whose size makes this church second in the world in this respect, and priceless in value.

The prices are per person, expressed in euros.

Room

Number of persons

3-8

9-13

14-18

18+

1 / 1

414

208

176

173

1 / 2

406

201

170

166

The price includes:

  • minibus/bus transport (per category)
  • hotel ***, **** (based on HB, FB)
  • two lunches
  • admission fee (Topola)
  • guide service

Informations & Booking

Phone:

+381 (0)11 32 32 179, 33 49 151

Fax:

+381 11 32 32 579

e-mail:

airlift@jat.com

When prices are in Euros, payment is done in RSD in accordance with the BSR (Bank Sales Rate) acquired via Amadeus airline reservation system on the day of obtaining travel documents.

For all our arrangements General conditions of travel apply.

Chose Your tour
Countries
City
From
day        month
To
day        month
© JAT AIRLIFT 2006 | designed & produced by MASSVision, powered by cMASS