Eastern Serbia Monasteries and Resava Cave Tour from Belgrade

Belgrade

Your tour starts at your accommodation, and we head towards Pomoravlje District, known as the center of the last Serbian Medieval Kingdom, where monasteries still keep the enormous cultural and historical legacy and wealth.

Ravanica Monastery

45 min

Our first stop is Ravanica monastery. It was the endowment of Prince Lazar built during the period between 1375 and 1377, with its frescoes painted in the years preceding the Battle of Kosovo. Due to its architectural and artistic features, the Ravanica church can be called the birthplace of the new creative movement called the Morava school. The church is original in its architectural style, which is a blend of the Mount Athos tradition of the trefoil base and the cross-in-square five-domed model which became standard in the time of King Milutin.
Our guide will give you essential information about the interior and the exterior of the monastery, as well as about the life of the nuns and Orthodox Christianity in general.

Resavska Cave

1 hour

Next, we are set for an extraordinary experience. We will visit the Resava cave, one of the oldest in Serbia, some 80 million years old, with some of the older formations dating back around 45 million years. The interior of the cave abounds in numerous and varied halls, channels, galleries, columns, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies and flowstone waterfalls.

Vodopad Veliki Buk

1 hour 30 min

Our next stop is Veliki Buk (also called Lisine), a beautiful waterfall, approximately 20-25 high, which makes it one of the highest waterfalls in Serbia. The surrounding is scenic and perfect for relaxation. This karstic waterfall is protected as a natural monument, and it's most impressive during the autumn. In the summertime, there's less water, but it's still lovely to visit, very refreshing.
Further on, you will enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch in a unique atmosphere. (not included in the price)

Manasija Monastery

45 min

Continue your ride to the Manasija monastery. Manasija monastery is one of the last monuments to Serbian medieval culture, raised by Despot Stefan Lazarević, son of Prince Lazar. The construction of the church, an extravagant fortification, and a large refectory took from 1406 to 1418. The impressive walls with 11 towers, surrounded by a trench, would at that time have been a modern system for the defense of the monastery. The most dominant and most imposing tower – the keep – is known as Despotova Kula (Despot’s Tower).
The Church of the Holy Trinity is considered a prime example of Morava architecture.
Frescoes in Manasija are among the most beautiful of the Morava properties and old Serbian art in general. Besides the monumental depictions of warriors in the choir transept, prophets pictured in the dome are exceptionally beautiful, as well as the idealized representation of Despot Stefan Lazarević presenting a model of the church to the Holy Trinity. Besides monastery churches and fortifications, Manasija partially preserves the remains of the old refectory and library. The library housed a scriptorium in which numerous books were copied. The so-called ‘Resava orthography’ was much valued and was to influence later scribes for some time to come.
After an unforgettable day, you will head back to Belgrade.

Belgrade

45 min

Your tour concludes with transportation back to your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, where we'll arrive in the afernoon. End of services.