Rade Borović or Rade Neimar (Rade the Mason), also sometime referred to as Rade Baranin (meaning the one who came from Bar, Montenegro), was a mason, originally from a stonemason's family (progenitor of Radoe Petrarius de Antibaro)[1] born, around 1335. As a master builder, he built the Ljubostinja monastery church, the endowment of Princess Milica Hrebeljanović. The temple was built from 1388 to 1405. He carved his name on the threshold of the door (which leads from the vestibule to the temple). As there is a similarity in the handwriting of the builder on the inscriptions in Ljubostinja and the Church of the Virgin Mary in Novo Brdo[2], it is considered that he built the latter as well.[3]

As a builder, he had a great reputation among the people, so in his poems, he was credited with the construction of various buildings: from the construction of Skadar, Ravanica, to the bridge in Višegrad, etc. Certainly, "Rade Neimar" could not physically be present at all those places, among other things, due to the obvious disparity in time. Some believe that his first and last name originated from Zahumlje.

According to the tradition, it is said that Rade Neimar died and was buried in the monastery of Župa Nikšićka. He must have fallen from the scaffolding, when the monastery church of St. Ports was built. He was buried at the gate, and a large, white marble cross with his name engraved on it was placed over his grave.[4]

One street in the Belgrade neighbourhood Pašino brdo has been named after him for decades.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Гласник Етнографског института". 1998.
  2. ^ Bulletin de l'Academie Serbe des Sciences. Section des Sciences Sociales. 1961.
  3. ^ "Гласник Етнографског института". 1998.
  4. ^ "Време", Београд 23. новембар 1937. године