- Address: Brizeg, Montenegro
- Date of founding: XV century.
- Founder: Stefan Vukšić Kosacha
- Type: man's monastery
Relatively small in size, Montenegro , located in the west of the Balkan Peninsula, is considered one of the most beautiful countries in Southern Europe. The richness of its history and culture is reflected in the mosaic floors of Roman villas, exquisite minarets of mosques, majestic fortresses and picturesque Orthodox churches. The famous landmark of the state is the monastery of Zagradje, which we will discuss in more detail later.
What is interesting about the monastery?
Monastery Zagradje today is one of the most visited temples in Montenegro. It was founded in the far XV century. Duke Stefan Kosach. The main feature of the shrine is the unique architectural style in which it is executed. Byzantine dome, Gothic arches, Orthodox iconostasis - such an amazing combination of eastern and western church trends can be traced both in the appearance of the structure and in its interior.
Over the years of its existence, the monastery has been attacked and destroyed many times, but the greatest harm to the building was caused by the conquest of Herzegovina by the Ottoman Empire. It was then that the tin covering was removed from the church dome, which the Turkic tribes used to create new mosques. The thorough reconstruction of the main church - the church of St. John the Baptist - lasted 3 years, from 1998 to 2001, after which the whole complex was granted the status of a male Orthodox monastery.
How to get there?
Monastery Zagradje is located in the north-eastern part of Montenegro, in the small village of Brieg, which is only 0.5 km from the border with the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina . You can get here either by private car, or by taxi, or as part of a tour group.