Gračanica Monastery

The Gračanica Monastery in Kosovo is a Serbian Orthodox monastery. It was erected in 1321 on the ruins of a 6th-century basilica by Serbian King Stefan Milutin. In 1990, the monastery was designated as a Monument of Cultural Exceptional Importance, and on July 13, 2006, it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as Medieval Monuments in Kosovo, as an extension of the Visoki Deani complex, which was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

One of King Milutin's final significant donations is the Gračanica Monastery. The monastery is located in Gračanica, a Serbian enclave near Lipljan, the former house of Lipljan's bishops. Gračanica Monastery appears inconspicuous, especially in comparison to the other sites. There is no security checkpoint; instead, it is protected from the street by some towering ancient walls. You'd never guess it was founded in 1321, under the leadership of King Stefan Milutin, atop even earlier ruins, thanks to its low-key feel.

The exceptional architectural exterior of Graanica is complemented with equally valuable frescoes, making it one of the creative pinnacles of Byzantine monumental art at the period. It also commemorates the conclusion of King Milutin's reign, a unique time in Serbian medieval history. Make sure to go inside the church during your stay to observe the extensive frescoes. There are some excellent ancient Ottoman-style structures towards the back of the monastery grounds.

Location: H5XV+99X, Graçanicë 10500