Small but wehrfähig.

A schnaps welcome: in the monasteries of Serbia and Kosovo, the monks receive their visitors hospitable. No wonder, since the medieval fortified churches are hidden in deep valleys and high mountains - who she finds proves fun adventure.

 

Belgrade - Miserable roads, only a few attractions and quality accommodation safer - Serbia and the only just over a year since the independent state of Kosovo, mostly by tourists so far been left aside. In Central Europe are largely unknown, therefore, nor the medieval Serbian monasteries of which there are even some on the list of UNESCO World Heritage site have done.

Even on a small tour in the mountain monasteries Fruska Gora, north of the Serbian capital Belgrade, 17 historic churches can be admired. For this trip you have one day and drive 200 kilometers into account. Who the actual sacred Highlights of the two countries will explore, should be three to four days expected.

Belgrade is the starting and ending point of about 1100-kilometer round trip, with just the car individually possible. In some monasteries to stay. Even in Serbian, there are few books on worship, literature in English or German is scarce. Information about the story you have to be online or in old Yugoslavia, travel guides zusammenklauben.

Unique frescoes in Manasija

From Belgrade is in a southerly direction on the motorway to the city Svilajnac. In the small town of the weir Despotovac waiting Manasija monastery from the early 15th Century, with its mighty fortification walls and massive towers. The church itself, whose affairs like all churches on this tour with remarkable frescoes, is the visitors because of its small size stump. All art-historically prominent religious buildings in this corner of Europe weather because of the centuries of wars and kept small to defend against enemies aligned. Monumental buildings like the cathedrals in Western Europe does not exist.

The Serbian monasteries are usually far away in deep valleys. The monks there, despite the 500-year Ottoman rule and later the Austro-Hapsburg occupation, the part until the First World War lasted, the Serbentum up. The old Orthodox Christian traditions, were able to survive.

The wars at this interface of Western and Eastern Europe, many monasteries as Manasija and the little Ravanica lying south east of the city Cuprija repeatedly devastated. Often, the art-historically unique paintings on the walls of more than 100 years of wind and weather, because the enemy because of the valuable lead the roof was removed. Often, it therefore appears as a miracle that the gloss of the frescoes still to be seen.

At the second largest Serbian city of Nis passes in the Kosovo capital Pristina, where as a contrast to one or other old mosque can be visited. The most important is the just renovated from the ground up "Great Mosque", the full name, Fatih Sultan Mehmet II Mosque is. Mehmet II ( "The Conqueror") had with the intake of Constantinople in 1453 destroyed the Byzantine Empire. Eight years later he left after the conquest of the Western Balkans, the mosque set up in Pristina.

UNESCO monasteries under NATO protection

Before the gates of the city lies the monastery of Gracanica, with its church dating from the 14th Century. It is the headquarters of the Kosovo Bishop Artemije. From Pristina, where there are some good possibilities there, it goes in the far west of the city of Peja. A mighty mountain chain shield Kosovo from Montenegro on the Adriatic coast from. Here are the two World Visoki Decani monastery in the south and the ancient Patriarchate directly in the city. The extensive facilities are provided by Italian soldiers of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force KFOR guarded. They are attacks of the Albanians on the few remaining Serbs prevented.

From Peja, where there are small hotels, the trip through the mountains to the north in the direction Rožaje to Montenegro to turn in Tutin on Serbian territory to return. West of the Muslim populated Novi Pazar is the Sopocani monastery from the 13th Century, due to its extraordinary frescoes is famous. Further north in the town Usce waiting Studenica the monastery, a foundation of the first Serbian kings from the 12th Century. Before returning to Belgrade is still south of the town of Kraljevo Zica the monastery from the 13th Century can be visited.

A shot of adventure and flexibility is on a visit to these attractions is required. But there are no security problems, and the supply of gasoline is saved. In addition to the art-historical gems travelers can the hospitality of the monks enjoy the almost everywhere a strong fruit brandy, strong coffee and sweets to offer.

If you're lucky, you can during a liturgical celebration in the West Europeans mystical world of Christian orthodoxy dip.