Monasteries of Fruška Gora

The complex of preserved Serbian, Orthodox monasteries makes the most valuable monument treasure of Fruška Gora. The first written date on Orthodox monasteries at Fruška Gora dates back to 1455 and it was found in the letter of Despot Djuradj Branković (around 1375-1456), the last Serbian ruler before the fall of the Serbian Despotship under the Turks in 1459, written to the Pope Calisto III. In his letter, the Serbian Despot Branković referred to the right granted by the previous Pope, Nicholas V, to erect Orthodox monasteries "In regno Hungarie", which was realised in practice in the centuries that followed. Folk tradition places the building of monasteries at Fruška Gora in the period of several centuries before the evidence found in historical records. The history of monasteries of Fruška Gora can be largely connected with the endowment efforts of the noble family Branković, namely Despot Stefan Branković, his wife, Princess Angelina Branković and their sons Djordje and Jovan, who became Despots later on. Among them, Despot Djordje Branković (1461-1516) (who later became the Belgrade-Srem Metropolitan Maksim) and his mother, Princess Angelina Branković should be attributed the greatest merits for endowment heritage they left behind. The image that we are trying to comprehend now, looking at the Fruška Gora monasteries, is a representation of materialised concept of cultural, educational and economic growth of the Serbian people north of the Sava and the Danube that began in the third decade of the 18th century. During this period, a great reconstruction of the Fruška Gora monasteries began, during which a special form of baroque (somewhere also called Serbian) was created, which was reflected in the architecture of single-nave churches with massive bells, the making of iconostasis and wall painting. The baroque monumentality of churches and monastery dormitories and the concentration of Orthodox monastic communities at Fruška Gora, the area which was declared the National Park in 1946, have the inexhaustible power to attract visitors, pupils, students and pilgrims again.

Monastery Kuveždin

According to folk tradition, monastery Kuveždin is the endowment of Despot Stefan Štiljanović (? – after 1540), and it was mentioned in historical records in 1566 for the first time. Monastery church is dedicated to Saint Sava. A new church...
Read more

Monastery Šišatovac

Monastery Šišatovac was founded in the 16th century by the monks who fled from the monastery Žiča (in the vicinity of Kraljevo). The monastery church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God. Just as most other...
Read more

Monastery Bešenovo

It is traditionally believed that monastery Bešenovo was founded by the Serbian King Dragutin Nemanjić (1276-1316) although the historical records mention it in the 16th century for the first time. Monastery church is dedicated to Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael....
Read more

Monastery Jazak

Monastery Jazak was erected in the vicinity of an old monastery Jazak, which was probably built by the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century. The old monastery Jazak was known after the fact that it kept...
Read more

Monastery Vrdnik

Monastery Vrdnik or Vrdnik Ravanica is mentioned in written records during the 1560s. The monastery church is dedicated to Christ’s Ascension. The monks from the monastery Ravanica (near Ćuprija) came into the monastery as refugees by the end of the...
Read more

Monastery Beočin

First written data about monastery Beočin date back to the 16th century. Monastery church is dedicated to Christ’s Ascension. History records the data that the monks from Rača on the Drina came to the monastery by the end of the...
Read more

Monastery Rakovac

According to folk tradition, monastery Rakovac was built by the commander Raka Milošević, chamberlain of Despot Jovan Branković. First written records of the monastery date back to 1545. The monastery church is dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian. The Turks...
Read more

Monastery Staro Hopovo

It is traditionally believed that monastery Staro Hopovo was built by Despot Djuradj Branković by the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century, although the historical records mention it for the first time in 1546. The monastery...
Read more

Monastery Novo Hopovo

According to folk tradition, monastery Novo Hopovo is the endowment of the Metropolitan Maksim (Branković) although the historical records mention it in 1546 for the first time. The inscription above the church entrance states that Lacko and Marko Jović from...
Read more

Monastery Grgeteg

It is traditionally believed that monastery Grgeteg was built by the Despot Zmaj Ognjeni Vuk (Vuk Grgurević, around 1438-1485), and the first written records of the monastery date back to the 16th century. The monastery church is dedicated to Saint...
Read more

Monastery Velika Remeta

According to folk tradition, monastery Velika Remeta was built by the Serbian King Dragutin Nemanjić (1276-1316), although the first written data on the monastery date back to the middle of the 16th century. The monastery church is dedicated to Saint...
Read more

Monastery Krušedol

Monastery Krušedol was built in the period from 1509 to 1516. Its founders were Despot Djordje Branković, his mother Angelina Branković and Wallachian Prince Neagoe Basarab. The monastery church is dedicated to the Holy Mother’s Annunciation. The paintings dating back...
Read more

Monastery Mala Remeta

According to the tradition, monastery Mala Remeta was a gift of the Serbian King Dragutin Nemanjić (1276-1316) to the monastery Rača as their metoh although the historical records mention it during the 16th and 17 th century. It is known...
Read more

Monastery Petkovica

It is traditionally believed that monastery Petkovica was built by Jelena, a widow of Despot Stevan Štiljanović, in the first half of the 16th century. Reliable data about the monastery date back to 1588 when the church was painted. Monastery...
Read more

Monastery Privina Glava

According to folk tradition, monastery Privina Glava is the oldest monastery of Fruška Gora since it is linked with Priba, or Priva, the Serbian landowner from the 12th century. Monastery church is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel....
Read more

Monastery Divša (Djipša)

It is traditionally believed that monastery Divša (Djipša) is the endowment of Despot Jovan Branković, whose death at the very beginning of the 16th century marked the end of dynasty of Srem Brankovićis. First historical data about the monastery date...
Read more