Sopoćani Monastery

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Sopoćani

Sopoćani is a medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery . It is located about 750 m above sea level, 16 km from Novi Pazar , in a mountainous forest landscape.

history

The monastery, built in the Serbian-Byzantine style of the Raška school in 1265, was donated by King Stefan Uroš I and was intended to serve as a burial place for him. The marble stone coffin above the grave of King Uroš I, in the southern part of the church, is still preserved. Since the 17th century during the wars between Austrians and Turks, the monastery suffered severe destruction and until the beginning of the 20th century stood as a ruin without a roof or dome. After several restoration steps , it was able to be rebuilt and, above all, the excellent frescoes saved.

description

The single-nave basilica (building type) has a semicircular apse in the east and a large narthex with side chapels in the west . Above the crossing the arching dome on a round, through windows and blind arcades articulated Tambour (architecture) . Romanesque influences from the coastal area are evident in many details. Stefan Uroš IV. Dušan had the tall, square bell tower next to the church built in the first half of the 14th century.

Monumental fresco Dormition of the Mother of God
Detail of the Evangelists from the monumental fresco Dormition of the Mother of God

The frescoes on the walls and the icons inside Sopoćani are among the most beautiful of Serbian medieval paintings. Many international historians described these as the best works of the Serbian-Byzantine style and counted them among the highlights of Christian-European painting of the 13th century. They are executed in the courtly style on a luxurious gold background, which, however, is extinguished except for a few remains. On the western wall of Naos , a monumental painting depicts the Dormition of Mary surrounded by the apostles and the reception of her soul (depicted as a baby) by Christ, who gives her to the angels. With its dimensions (6.35 m by 4.25 m) it is the largest work of medieval European painting. Other paintings to be emphasized include the birth of Christ , the transfiguration of Christ , Christ in limbo and the unbelieving Thomas . The frescoes in the narthex were made about five years after those in the naos. Another painter created it in a more small-figure narrative style that exudes a lively effect.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1979, the monastery was as part of the facility Stari Ras and Sopoćani by the UNESCO for World Heritage declared.

literature

Web links

Commons : Sopoćani Monastery  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 43 ° 7 ′ 4.9 ″  N , 20 ° 22 ′ 26.4 ″  E