Monasteries & Cathedrals
Tvrdoš Monastery
Tvrdoš is a place of historical and spiritual significance. This small town is renowned for its medieval Tvrdoš Monastery, an architectural gem that dates back to the 15th century. The monastery’s stone walls, frescoes, and ancient vineyards create an atmosphere of timeless beauty. Tvrdoš is also famous for its winemaking tradition, producing exquisite wines from locally grown grapes. Visitors can sample these exceptional wines and explore the monastery’s peaceful grounds, including the underground wine cellars. Tvrdoš offers a serene retreat where history, spirituality, and the pleasure of wine converge, providing a memorable experience for all who visit.
Zavala Monastery
Zavala Monastery is located at the periphery of Popovo Polje, beneath Ostrog Mountain. Zavala Monastery is regarded as a significant cultural and spiritual hub for Orthodox believers in Herzegovina. Apart from its exceptional cultural and historical heritage, a visit to Zavala Monastery also offers incredible panoramic views of the surroundings.
Hercegovačka Gračanica Monastery
Hercegovačka Gračanica stands as one of the most visited religious sites in Eastern Herzegovina. This complex was built as a tribute to the desire expressed by the renowned Serbian poet Jovan Dučić in his will. He wished to be laid to rest on a hill encircling Trebinje, within a church resembling the one found in Kosovo. This reference alludes to the significant Gračanica Monastery in Kosovo, a remarkable legacy attributed to King Milutin from 1321. The complex also includes a bell tower, an episcopal courtyard, an amphitheater, a gift shop, and a summer restaurant named ‘Dučić’s View’.
Klisina Monastery
Built upon a medieval monastic site, today’s Klisina Monastery bears witness to the unforgettable history of its people and the region. It serves as a spiritual refuge for many residents of Prijedor, Oštra Luka, and surrounding areas.
Glogovac Monastery
Glogovac Monastery is in the village of Babići, around 20 kilometers south of Šipovo. Situated in a stunning setting within the Glogovac River gorge on the Janja Plateau, the monastery has a history of multiple destructions. According to local tradition, an old medieval monastery from the early 14th century once stood here.
Gomionica Monastery
Located in the village of Kmećani near Banja Luka, Gomionica Monastery is known for its long tradition of uninterrupted worship, where the monastery itself is said to have never been deserted for more than eight years. The first written mentions of the monastery date back to the first half of the 16th century, while the life, work and traditions of the monastery can be traced from the first half of 16th century all the way to the first half of the 20th century. The Gomionica Monastery represents one of the most significant religious landmarks in Banja Luka’s surroundings.
Dobrun Monastery
Dobrun Monastery is one of the oldest Orthodox monasteries in the country, built in the first half of the 14th century. Situated about 12 kilometers from Višegrad, the Monastery has endured and gone through multiple hardships and rebuilds throughout history. Nowadays, Dobrun Monastery is often referred to as a true spiritual oasis and a landmark of invaluable significance.
Duži Monastery
Monastery Duži, located 12 kilometers south of Trebinje, originally housed a small church in the late 17th century, which also accommodated shepherds and cowherds from Tvrdoš. Following the Venetian destruction of Tvrdoš Monastery in 1694, part of its brotherhood relocated to the Savina Monastery in Herceg Novi, carrying valuable relics. Simultaneously, another group went to Monastery Duži, taking with them the most important relic, The Dormition of the Mother of God, but sadly, most relics were lost during the Ottoman conquest. Until the abolition of The Patriarchate of Peć in 1776, Monastery Duži served as the center for the Herzegovinian metropolitan episcope.
Krupa na Vrbasu Monastery
The Krupa Monastery is believed to have been constructed in the late 12th or early 13th century. Its main church, dedicated to St. Elijah, has historical connections to Greben-grad, whose ruins are situated near the one-aisle church, known for its substantial size and apse, which stands out as one of the most spacious of its era.
Liplje Monastery
Located 25 kilometers to the west of Teslić, at the base of Borja Mountain in an untouched natural environment, you’ll find the medieval Liplje Monastery. It stands as one of the prime tourist destinations within the Teslić municipality, alongside Banja Vrućica. The monastery’s enchanting location seamlessly blends with its natural environment. With its historical connections to Stefan Nemanja and Saint Sava, the monastery’s architectural style follows the Raška school, evident in its intricate facade, establishing it as one of the most splendid religious buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Moštanica Monastery
Positioned at an altitude of 202 meters within the Moštanica River valley, on the northern inclines of Kozara mountain, the monastery stands 12 kilometers to the north of Kozarska Dubica. The Moštanica Monastery holds a prominent status within the Serbian Orthodox Church’s monastic community. It ranks as one of the Republic of Srpska’s largest Serbian monasteries.
Ozren Monastery
The Ozren Monastery can be found about 6 kilometers from Petrovo in the northern region of Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It functions as the spiritual center for the Mount Ozren area. Its likely establishment can be traced back to the late 16th century, during the leadership of Serbian Patriarch Makarije Sokolović.
Osovica Monastery
Osovica Monastery is held in high regard among the most important religious locations in the Republic of Srpska. Its compound consists of the primary monastery church, which is devoted to the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God, a winter church honoring Saint Procopius, the Chapel of Christ’s Resurrection, and a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra located within the bell tower.
Sase Monastery
The Sase Monastery, devoted to the Holy Trinity, is situated in the mining village of Sase, amidst the hills between Srebrenica and Bratunac. According to tradition, it was constructed during the mid-fourteenth century under the patronage of Emperor Uroš Nemanjić. The monastery has undergone multiple renovations. Its premises include a chapel, a cleansing fountain, living quarters, and an intriguing exhibit of a Roman tombstone discovered in the vicinity.
Lovnica Monastery
The Lovnica Monastery is situated in the vicinity of Šekovići within the Donji Birač region in eastern Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. One tradition attributes its foundation to King Dragutin Nemanjić in the 13th century, inspired by the area’s natural beauty during a hunting excursion. Alternatively, another tradition suggests that the church was miraculously transported to its current location, as attested by certain hunters. This monastery safeguards a collection of exceptionally precious frescoes dating back to the 16th century.
Tavna Monastery
Tavna Monastery is documented in early Ottoman tax records dating from 1533 and 1548, and it is explicitly identified as a monastery from 1548 to 1586. Over its history, it endured hardships alongside the local population, sharing the fate of the people in the region. Throughout the ages, it has served as a spiritual and cultural hub for the Serbian community in this area.
Sokolica Monastery
The Sokolica Monastery, positioned on the flatlands of the Romanija mountain range in the eastern Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a cherished cultural and historical landmark of the region. It also serves as a place of devotion and pilgrimage for Serbian Orthodox believers. Dedicated to Saint George, the monastery’s exact founding date remains uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the medieval era.
Duga Njiva Monastery
Situated atop the Trebava Mountain, specifically on the plateau known as Duga Njiva, within the municipality of Modriča, Republic of Srpska, the monastery compound includes a Saint Lazarus church, a Saint Nicholas chapel, and a dormitory. Adorned with frescoes, icons, and a memorial wall, the church stands as a testament to the cultural and historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, it holds a special place for Serbian Orthodox worshippers as a site for devotion and pilgrimage.
Dragaljevac Monastery
Honoring Holy Archangel Gabriel, Dragaljevac Monastery resides in the village of Gornji Dragaljevac, within the municipality of Bijeljina. According to tradition, its predecessors were wooden structures dating back to the 14th century. The present church includes a bell tower, porch, and features frescoes and icons within. It houses a valuable library.
Donje Vardište Monastery
The Monastery is situated approximately eighteen kilometers to the east of Višegrad. Within the monastery complex, you will find facilities such as a parish house, a guest house, a workshop, and a library. The church is adorned with frescoes and icons.
Dobrićevo Monastery
Dobrićevo, one of the most renowned monasteries in Herzegovina and a prominent Serbian cultural and historical landmark, is located about ten kilometers from Bileća, in the village of Orah, near the Bileća Lake.
Čajniče Monastery
The Monastery of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God is situated in Čajniče. The earliest documented reference to this sacred site goes back to 1492. Within the Čajniče Prologue, an ancient church manuscript, the monastery is documented as the Čajniče Church dedicated to the Dormition of the Most Holy Lady, our Mother of God. The monastery complex comprises two churches – the Old one, originating from the 15th century, and the New one, constructed in 1863. Additionally, there is a monastery residence that houses a museum.
Monastery of St. Apostles Peter and Paul
Located 7 kilometers from Trebinje, in Petrovo polje, the monastery site encompasses remnants of the 4th-century St. Peter’s church. The area around the present-day St. Peter and Paul Monastery, along with its burial grounds, has held the status of a national monument in Bosnia and Herzegovina since March 2003. The contemporary St. Peter’s church follows the regional architectural style, featuring a straightforward design and modest proportions. It includes a stone-covered apse, a paved interior, and a wooden iconostasis. St. Paul’s church stands near St. Peter’s, to the south. Historical records suggest that this church functioned as a place of worship.
The Nativity of the Theotokos Cathedral in Sarajevo
The Nativity of the Theotokos Cathedral in Sarajevo is a splendid and historically significant Serbian Orthodox church erected during the 19th century. It stands as the largest of its kind in Sarajevo and ranks among the Balkans’ most sizable Orthodox churches.
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Banja Luka
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Banja Luka is a splendid and historically significant Serbian Orthodox church that underwent reconstruction in the 21st century. It stands as the tallest religious edifice in Banja Luka and serves as one of the city’s most notable symbols.
