Ovčar–Kablar Monasteries

Ovčar–Kablar Monasteries are located in one of the most beautiful canyons in Serbia: the Canyon of Western Morava River not far away from the city of Čačak, 150 km away from Belgrade and 65 km from Zlatibor. Because of 10 functioning monasteries located here Ovčar-Kablar canyon is often called „ Small Holy Mount“, although the same name is often used for Fruška Gora. Most monasteries were founded during the Ottoman rule and these religious places had quite an important historical and cultural role for Serbian people.

Nobody is certain on how many monasteries existed in this region, but nowadays there are 10 left. At Kablar Mount monasteries of Annunciation, St. Elijah, St. John the Baptist, St. Nicholas and Assumption are located, whilst Ovčar Mount hosts the monasteries of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, Ascension, Transfiguration, St. Trinity and Purification monasteries. The oldest one is said to be the Monastery of the Entry into the Temple built in the second half of the 14th century and connected with Stefan Nemanja and St. Sava. Later on during his journey around this area Vuk Karadžić, father of modern Serbian language, wrote about a local developed scriptorium of the 16th century and mentioned that Annunciation and St. John’s monasteries had “towers for writing”.

The most important monasteries of this group, Annunciation, St. Nicholas, Purification and St. Trinity, are preserved and protected as cultural monuments of great importance for Serbian culture and history. In the forests of the Ovčar-Kablar canyon therapeutic Ovčar spa is located. On Western Morava two artificial lakes perfect for fishing were made.