- Address: Trebiњe 89101, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Built: in the year 2000.
Hercegovachka-Gracanica in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a whole monastic complex, located on the hill of Crkvine over the city of Trebinje . It was built in 2000 at the behest of the poet Jovan Ducic, who bequeathed a large sum for this purpose.
The monastery complex of Hercegovachka-Gracanica is a popular tourist destination for several reasons:
- It is located on the top of one of the six hills surrounding Trebinje, and from here you can enjoy panoramic views of the city, fascinating with its beauty.
- The monastery Hercegovachka-Gračanica has an interesting and rich history.
- Large and well-groomed territory. Here you can admire the landscape design, visit a small amphitheater, relax among flowers and greens, have a snack in a cafe and even buy souvenirs for memory.
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History of Hercegovac-Gracanica
The history of this orthodox church is connected with the name of the native poet Jovan Ducic, who traveled a lot in the nature of his activities, lived in other countries, but he never forgot his homeland. He worked as a diplomat and constantly donated from his savings for the benefit of his country. On his money were built more than 70 cultural monuments. The last years of his life, Jovan Ducic spent in the United States. He died in 1943, leaving behind him a will in the form of a large sum of money to build a church, a personal library with rare copies of books and wishes that he be buried in his native land. For a long time nobody knew about this will of the deceased, until one of the emigrants accidentally came across notes, studying the biography and the life of a compatriot in the archives. He decided to fulfill the will of the deceased. So the complex was built, and the remains of the deceased were transported and reburied within the walls of the monastery. Therefore, the monastery Hercegovachka-Gracanica is not only a religious object, but also a place of memory about the people's poet.
Church complex Hertsegovachka-Gracanica
The Church of Hertsegovachka-Gracanica has the official name - the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin . It was built in 2000 and is a copy of the Serbian monastery Gracanica in Kosovo and Metohija, built in the 14th century and now protected by the UNESCO world organization. When the church of the Most Holy Theotokos was built, the first stone laid in the foundation was brought from Kosovo.
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The location of the monastery was not chosen by chance. The Hill of Crkvine was always considered a sacred place and was especially revered by the inhabitants of the city. Earlier, in the 13th century, St. Michael's church was built here, but it was destroyed.
The monastery Hercegovachka-Gracanica is built of 16 columns, only one of which has a rectangular shape, the rest - a round one. The interior decoration is very bright and colorful, but without superfluous splendor and pomposity.
Nearby is a tall bell tower.
The building is also built on the territory of the complex, which serves as a parish house and a kind of museum where you can get acquainted with the history of the church. There is a gallery of two rooms, where various books, icons and other church-religious attributes are presented.
In addition, lovers of the work of the poet and educator Jovan Ducic can enjoy poetry, conveniently located in a small amphitheater, from which amazing views of the city. Poetic evenings are regularly held here.
The skill and art of landscape design delight even professionals. The territory of the garden is well-kept and beautiful. The paths are paved with sidewalk tiles very accurately and qualitatively. Popular plants here are lavender and rosemary bushes. From lavender are made kind of flavors, which are cute canvas bags decorated with an organza and filled with dry fragrant grass.
On the territory of the complex you can also quench your thirst from a drinking fountain, have a snack in one of the two cafes. There is even a small playground for kids.
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And in the souvenir shop you can buy memorable gifts for yourself and your loved ones: from magnets and postcards with pictures of neighborhoods to icons and other church goods. The choice is very large.
The monastery has its own popular hero, who is a universal favorite and an object of special attention. Here lives a friendly donkey, which can be fed, patted and photographed.
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How to get there?
The temple of Hercegovachka-Gračanica can be seen from anywhere in Trebinje . It can be reached by car, or by bus as part of an organized tourist group. In addition, it is possible to climb the hill on foot, it will take about 40 minutes. In the process of climbing the mountain, gorgeous views of coniferous forests and the city of Trebinje with its houses covered with red tiles open up. On the way, a shop is carefully planned among coniferous trees, where you can sit, relax, breathe and enjoy the silence and nature.