Budisavci Monastery
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Monastery of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ at Budisavci |
| Denomination | Serbian Orthodox Church |
| Established | early 14th century |
| Mother house | Patriarchate of Peć |
| Dedication | Transfiguration of Jesus Christ |
| Celebration | Transfiguration (Preobraženje), 19 August |
| Diocese | Eparchy of Raška and Prizren |
| Controlled churches | 1 |
| People | |
| Founder | Unknown (traditionally attributed to King Stefan Uroš II Milutin) |
| Important associated figures | Patriarch Makarije Sokolović (restoration, 1568) |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Monastery |
| Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Cultural heritage monument |
| Style | Byzantine Cross-in-square |
| Completed date | 14th century (original); 1568 (restoration) |
| Site | |
| Location | Budisavci village, near Klina and Peć |
| Country |  Kosovo |
| Public access | Yes |
| Other information | Metochion of the Patriarchate of Peć |
Budisavci Monastery (Albanian: Manastiri i Budisavcit; Serbian: Манастир Будисавци, romanized: Manastir Budisavci) is a medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery in the village of Budisavci near Klina and Peja. The monastery church is dedicated to the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ and represents an important religious and cultural monument of medieval Serbian heritage in the region.[1][2]
History
[edit]Foundation and early history
[edit]The monastery was built in the early 14th century.[1][2] The founder is unknown, though some scholars attribute it to Stefan Uroš II Milutin, while local tradition connects it to his daughter, the sister of Stefan Dečanski.[1]
Budisavci Monastery historically functioned as a metochion (dependency) of the Patriarchate of Peć.[3]
Ottoman period and restoration
[edit]The original 14th-century frescoes did not survive. In 1568, the church was restored and repainted under Makarije Sokolović, following the reestablishment of the Serbian Patriarchate of Peć.[2] His portrait is preserved among the frescoes in the nave.[3]
During the 19th century, a narthex was added to the western site of the church, partially covering earlier frescoes.[3]
Modern period
[edit]Budisavci Monastery remains active. The feast of the Transfiguration (Preobraženje), celebrated annually in August, draws hundreds of Orthodox believers.[4]
In recent years, the monastery has benefited from restoration efforts, including roof repairs funded by JKSP "Zvečan" in 2025.[5][6]The monastery is also associated with the disappearance of Hieromonk Stefan Purić during the post-Kosovo War period, a case still commemorated annually.[7]
Architecture and art
[edit]The monastery church is constructed in the Byzantine cross-in-square style, with an octagonal dome and a three-sided apse on the eastern side.[2] The walls feature alternating layers of stone and brick, typical of medieval Serbian ecclesiastical architecture.[2]
The preserved frescoes, mostly from the 16th century, depict Saint Sava, Stefan Nemanja, Serbian archbishops, Makarije Sokolović, and scenes from the Great Feasts and Passion of Christ cycles.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Srpske svetinje na Kosovo i Metohija – Budisavci". RTS (in Serbian). Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Monastery Budisavci". Maps of Power – Austrian Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Monastery Budisavci". Blago Fund. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- ↑ "Hundreds of believers celebrated the Transfiguration in Budisavci Monastery". Radio Kontakt Plus. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- ↑ "JKSP "Zvečan" donated funds for the renovation of Budisavci Monastery". Radio Mitrovica Sever (in Serbian). Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- ↑ "Financial support for the restoration of Budisavci Monastery". Kosovo Online (in Serbian). Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- ↑ "26 years since the disappearance of monk Stefan Purić in Budisavci". KoSSev. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
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- Monasteries in Kosovo
- Cultural Monuments of Exceptional Importance (Serbia)
- Nemanjić dynasty endowments
- Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Kosovo
- Monuments and memorials in Kosovo
- 14th-century Serbian Orthodox church buildings
- Rebuilt buildings and structures
- Medieval Serbian sites in Kosovo
- Christian monasteries established in the 14th century
- Medieval Serbian Orthodox monasteries