Đurđevi Stupovi

Đurđevi Stupovi Monastery is located in the “Valley of the Kings” between rivers Ibar and Raška – the place where medieval state was born. Đurđevi Stupovi is one of the most valuable Serbian monasteries. Along with Stari Ras and Sopoćani it is among first Serbian sights included in the UNESCO World Heritage and is also a part of the „Rout of culture Transromanica“ – rout that binds European heritage of the Romanesque period. Đurđevi Stupovi has great historical importance and is one of the most prominent monuments of this part of Europe, this is why it is visited by numerous tourists who visit inner parts of Serbia.

The monastery was built in the 12th century as a synthesis of two architectural styles: Byzantine (Eastern) and Romanesque (western). The Monastery got its name thanks to authentic towers or „stupovi“ in Serbian that were built at the entrance of monastery’s church. The monastery is devoted to St. George and was left as an endowment of Stefan Nemanja, the Grand Prince and founder of the Nemanjić dynasty. The monastery, seen from dozen kilometers away, is proudly showing its exceptional importance for this region and Serbian medieval state. Here at this monastery young Rastko Nemanjić, future Saint Sava, got his first sacral experience. The second founder of the monastery was Serbian King Stefan Dragutin from Srem, who was buried in Đurđevi Stupovi in 1316.