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20 February 2006
Žiča Monastery: Vein of kings
St Sava had it painted in bright red, which was meant to symbolise that the Church was founded on the blood of its martyrs. When the structure was finished, the church, also known as the Big Church and the Mother of Many Churches, served as a canon for all other Serbian churches built in the 13th century.
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On the outskirts of Kraljevo lies Žiča Monastery, the joint endowment of King Stefan and his brother St Sava. After construction in 1208, Žiča became the seat of the first Serbian autonomous archbishopric in 1218 and Stefan was crowned here as the first King of the Nemanjić dynasty. The next eight rulers in this line followed his example. Although the seat of the archbishopric was soon moved to Peć in Kosovo, with a more central position in the Serbian state, Žiča did not lose any of its importance: state councils were still held here and the monastery was renowned for its many relics, including those of its founder. The vicinity of the monastery complex to important roads has often made it prey to looting that started with a raid at the end of 13th century by Bulgarian Prince Šišman. The structure was renovated by King Milutin from 1309 to 1316. During Ottoman rule it was razed on several occasions and soon sank into obscurity. Along with the renewal of the Serbian state, the crowning place of its glory days was rebuilt in several phases. In 1882 Prince Milan Obrenović came to Žiča to be crowned as the first Serbian king in the rejuvenated kingdom. The last time the monastery sustained damage was in W.W. II, when it was bombed by invading German forces.
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The walls of the passage underneath the entrance tower are adorned with solidly preserved early 14th century frescoes and the transcription of the founding charter of the monastery, a very important historical document.
The monastery church is dedicated to the Ascension of Our Lord. The eastern part was built before it was transformed to become St Sava’s seat. The adaptations he undertook and which were inspired by the monasteries of Holy Mt Athos provided it with a spacious outer narthex and a bell tower in front. St Sava also had it painted in bright red, which was meant to symbolise that the Church was founded on the blood of its martyrs. When the structure was finished, the church, also known back then as the Big Church and the Mother of Many Churches, served as a canon for all other Serbian churches built in the 13th century.
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The oldest layer of frescoes (from the 13th c) survived only in fragments. Most of the frescoes were done during the period of renovation by King Milutin. Although they have sustained a lot of damage the artistic mastery is still visible on what has remained. The composition of the Dormition of Our Lady on the western wall stands out the most.
Behind the apse of the big church stands the baptistery that was reconstructed from the fragments that were found on site.
The small church that stands in the back was built at the same time and it was dedicated to Sts Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratilat. Several 14th century frescoes are still visible on the walls.
The solemn edifice of the bishop’s court, standing left from the entrance, was designed by architect Aleksandar Deroko in 1935.
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