Cultural Corridors of South East Europe

Heritage by Country / Serbia

The Holy Virgin of Ljevishka, Prizren

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The Holy Virgin of Ljevishka, Prizren

About the site


Corridor: Diagonal Road, Sofia-Ohrid Road
Country: Serbia, Prizren
Type: Christian religious centre
Epoch: Middle Ages
Theme: Christian Monasteries
World Heritage:
Middle AgesChristian MonasteriesChristian religious centre

The Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevishka is the oldest church in Prizren. It is first mentioned in a charter by the Byzantine emperor Basil II in 1018 as a monastery church. It was destroyed at the end of the 12th century. The church of the Most Holy Theotokos was thoroughly rebuilt by the order of King Milutin in 1306-1307.
Over the centuries, the local population has given many names to this important spiritual center: St. Premtja, Bogorodica Ljevishka, Xhuma Xhamia, Xhamia Atik, and Fet-hije. The Holy Virgin of Ljevishka is cathedral church of the Prizren Orthodox  diocese. A monument of extraordinary artistic value.
Council of Europe, RPSEE
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