MONASTERY BLAGOVESTENJE

 

Under the hillsides of Rudnik, 8 km from the village Stragara, in the heart of Sumadija, near the Blagovestanska River , there is the monastery Blagovestenje. In the past only people riding horses could come to the monastery. Foundation of monastery is connected with time when king Dragutin lived. Blagovestenje is a medieval monastery. Even frescoes which we can find there are connected with the Middle Ages because they are from 15th century. Much information about the monastery is from 18th century. This information is proof that the monastery was an important spiritual and cultural place of this area at the time. There was a school and rewriting workshop in the monastery in 18th century. The monastery was affected with great troubles during the Austrian - Turkish war (1788- 1791.). The monastery of Voljavca was burnt down by the Turks in 16th century, in April of1789. In that attack the monastery Blagovestenje was burnt too. The monastery was reconstructed in 1795.

 

From 19th century monastery looks as today. In 1844 on the west side of the church a new bell tower by the stone was built. In remembrance of Saint Andreas Parlament in 1858. Duke Milos gave the golden cross to the monastery.
The Second World War brought new destructions. The Germans burnt down the monastery’s taverns in 1942. In 1960 a new tavern was built, in 1982. the new floor was built and also the new chapel. In the base of the monastery, on spring water of Svetinja. In 1991 a new chapel was built that was dedicated to St. Petka.

 

One of the greatest values of monastery Blagovestenje is the iconostasis – it is a monumental cross carved in wood of the passion of Christ. It is a unique relic in all its beauty and subtlety.The Crucifixion of Christ is an exquisite gilded carving presented as a series of floral motifs, geometric plait-work, a decorative pedestal and cross beams.  “Passion of Christ” has been in the monastery of Blagovestenje from 1690 and after 3 years of restoration at the National museum in Belgrade , it was returned to monastery of Blagovestenje in 2001.

 

 

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