In Serbia, it's remarkably easy to lose yourself in the world of imposing Orthodox monasteries, and our journey led us to two of the most striking ones – Žiča and Studenica. ⛪️ Through forests and mountains, past rivers and quiet valleys, we made our way to Kraljevo.
The town itself somehow faded into the background, because the real treasure lay just outside it. There, amid complete tranquility, rose Žiča — majestic, encircled by walls like a fortress, more castle than monastery. 🤷♂️
It was built in the early 13th century by Stefan the First-Crowned, and it was here that he was later crowned as the first King of Serbia. Walking through the courtyard, I found myself picturing those times, when rulers were still called "zhupans," and this very place marked the dawn of a new era.
The architecture carries the spirit of the Raška school — a blend of Byzantine austerity and Romanesque elegance. The frescoes quietly tell their own stories, and the buildings leave you with a sense of strength and permanence. 😯
From there, we continued on to Studenica Monastery... ⛪️ More on that in the next travel post. 🤷♂️✍️
