Cultural Corridors of South East Europe

Heritage by Country / Serbia

Gradac Monastery

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Gradac Monastery

About the site


Corridor: Diagonal Road
Country: Serbia, Gradac, Raska
Type: Christian religious centre
Epoch: Middle Ages
Theme:
World Heritage:
Middle AgesChristian religious centre

Serbian King Stefan Uros the first married the Helena Anjou, a relative of the King of Sicily and Naples, Carl Anjou the first. It was Helena that brought to Serbia the style of the west in every sense. The legend says that King Uros has planted the Valley of Lilacs in the 13th century to surprise and welcome his bride to be, who was supposed to pass through it on her way to meet her future husband. Taking this route today from the town Kraljevo to the Gradac Monastery is especially beautiful during the beginning of summer when the lilacs bloom.
The church of Annunciation of the Holy Virgin is built in the traditional style of Raska School. You can find elements of the gothic style that are shown in the buttresses outside the altar area and the pointed arches that decorate the façade. The Monastery keeps some frescoes inside but from the details that are left we can tell that they are of the highest quality.