Mediaeval monuments in Kosovo

The mediaeval Serbian sites in Kosovo and Metohija which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list are Dečani monastery, the monastery of the Patriarchate of Peć, the church of Our Lady of Ljeviš in Prizren and Gracanica monastery. They represent the peak of Byzantine Roman religious culture, with a unique style of fresco-painting which arose in the Balkans between the 13^th and 17^th centuries.

 

These mediaeval Serbian monuments are in the autonomous province of Kosovo and Metohija, which is currently under the administration of the UN Interim Administration Mission (UNMIK). Since 2006 they have been entered in the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger, due to the unstable security situation prevailing in the province. After the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, and the arrival of the international KFOR peacekeeping forces in Kosovo and Metohija, Albanian extremists have either destroyed or severely damaged more than 100 Orthodox churches and monasteries. Some Serbian Orthodox monasteries survive only thanks to the courage and dedication of their monks and the military protection of international peace-keeping forces. The monasteries can only be visited under the military escort of KFOR troops.

Patriarchate of Peć is known for drawing of the Nemanjić dynasty family tree, immediately by the entrance.Also, the oldest frescoes are found in the area beneath the dome of the Church of the Holy Apostles (13^th century).  

The church of Our Lady of Ljeviš is known for two layers of frescoes. The first layer is from the early 13th century and is consisting of three frescoes (Wedding at Cana, Healing of the Blind Man and the Mother of God with Christ the Provider). The second layer of frescoes came about between 1307 and 1313, created by a group of talented artists headed by someone called Astrap.

Decani monastery paintings were often regarded as of lesser artistic value to frescoes in some other Serbian Monasteries in Raska and Kosovo regions. It is known for many holy and miraculous relics of the saints. The most important relics are of St. King Stefan of Decani, whose body has been preserved. 

Gracanica monastery is well known for it's frescos (wallpaintings) and Byzantine construction style. There you can find a wall featuring the fresco of the Day of Judgement, with terrifying examples of sinners (recognised as Turks) going to Hell ; elsewhere you can see portraits of the church architect and his queen. The frescoes rank among the highest achievements of Milutin's Nemanjic rule, though some parts are darkened.