Sopocani Monastery

Sopocani Monastery is located in the southern part of Serbia, in the region of Ras, the first capital of the Serbian medieval state, about 16 km southwest of Novi Pazar. Sopocani Monastery, with its 13th-century mural paintings, is on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Sopocani Monastery was founded by King Uros I in 1260 and was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Monastery was built in the style of the Raska School; the exterior appearance of the church is Romanesque.

After the Kosovo battle the monastery suffered serious damages.  During the reign of Despot Stefan Sopočani Monastery was restored and turned into a fortification. In 16th century, the monastery was seriously damaged several times by the Turks. Monastery was finally restored at the beginning of the 20th century.

The frescoes of Sopocani Monastery are among the finest in Byzantine and Serbian art of the period. The earliest frescoes date back to the second part of the 13th century. The Sopocani Monastery was placed on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

Sopocani Monastery