Dečani Monastery
The four edifices of the site reflect the high points of the Byzantine-Romanesque ecclesiastical culture, with its distinct style of wall painting, which developed in the Balkans between the 13th and 17th centuries. The Dečani Monastery was built in the mid-14th century for the Serbian king Stefan Dečanski and is also his mausoleum.
Peć Monastery
The Patriarchate of Peć Monastery is a group of four domed churches featuring series of wall paintings. The 13th-century frescoes of the Church of Holy Apostles are painted in a unique, monumental style. Early 14th-century frescoes in the church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevisa represent the appearance of the new so-called Palaiologian Renaissance style, combining the influences of the eastern Orthodox Byzantine and the Western Romanesque traditions. The style played a decisive role in subsequent Balkan art.
Gračanica Monastery
The construction of the monastery started with King Uros II (Milutin) in 1318 and ended with the Archbishop Danilo in 1322. The complex was built on the ruins of the archbishopric of Bishop Lipljan elected by St. Sava. In 1379, its bell tower and the library were destroyed by fire and the narthex was damaged. In the mid XVI century the monastery was renovated: the narthex was reinforced, the large porch was closed and important new frescoes were painted. In the following years the roof was covered with lead plate.
From the architectural point of view the church, dedicated to the Holy Virgin, is a wonderful example of Byzantine art and a perfect mix of arches, domes and windows. Its frescoes were executed by different groups of painters through the years, such as the famous Michael and Eutihije who painted the church of St. George in Macedonia.
Church of the Virgin of Leviša (Prizren)
The four edifices of the site reflect the high points of the Byzantine-Romanesque ecclesiastical culture, with its distinct style of wall painting, which developed in the Balkans between the 13th and 17th centuries. The Dečani Monastery was built in the mid-14th century for the Serbian king Stefan Dečanski and is also his mausoleum.
Peć Monastery
The Patriarchate of Peć Monastery is a group of four domed churches featuring series of wall paintings. The 13th-century frescoes of the Church of Holy Apostles are painted in a unique, monumental style. Early 14th-century frescoes in the church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevisa represent the appearance of the new so-called Palaiologian Renaissance style, combining the influences of the eastern Orthodox Byzantine and the Western Romanesque traditions. The style played a decisive role in subsequent Balkan art.
Gračanica Monastery
The construction of the monastery started with King Uros II (Milutin) in 1318 and ended with the Archbishop Danilo in 1322. The complex was built on the ruins of the archbishopric of Bishop Lipljan elected by St. Sava. In 1379, its bell tower and the library were destroyed by fire and the narthex was damaged. In the mid XVI century the monastery was renovated: the narthex was reinforced, the large porch was closed and important new frescoes were painted. In the following years the roof was covered with lead plate.
From the architectural point of view the church, dedicated to the Holy Virgin, is a wonderful example of Byzantine art and a perfect mix of arches, domes and windows. Its frescoes were executed by different groups of painters through the years, such as the famous Michael and Eutihije who painted the church of St. George in Macedonia.
Church of the Virgin of Leviša (Prizren)
