Helen – a Catholic Noblewoman, Serbian Queen and Interreligious Donor connecting East and West in the 13th/14th Centuries (IDCEW)
Places
| ID | Name | Class | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 119588 | Gradac Monastery, Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God | Place | The Gradac Monastery is situated in the region of Ras on the river Ibar and on the slopes of Mount Golija. It was founded by the Serbian Queen Jelena Anžujska (ca. 1230-1314), as stated by her biographer the Serbian Archbishop Danilo II (ca. 1270/75-1337) (Danilo 75-80). She was buried in this church in 1314. Even though the church belongs to the Raška style, it also has very distinct gothic elements. As such, this church represents a fine example of Western and Eastern influences merged in one edifice. It is a single nave edifice with an octagonal dome. The narthex has two paracclesions that resemble the Žiča Monastery, but also the Studenica Monastery (as seen in one paracclesion which is dedicated to St. Simeon Nemanja and in the arrangement of certain painted themes). Under the roof is a series of arcades with consoles. The church has rich sculptural and fresco decoration. The largest part of the interior of the edifice is made of marble (especially visible in the altar screen). Out of two marble sarcophagi, one belongs to the Serbian Queen Jelena Anžujska. |
| 119678 | Sopoćani Monastery, Church of the Holy Trinity | Place | The Sopoćani Monastery is situated near the source of the river Raška in the region of Ras in the vicinity of the city of Novi Pazar. The church was built by the Serbian King Stefan Uroš I (reigned 1243-1276), the son of the Serbian King Stefan Prvovenčani (reigned 1196-1227) around 1260 (PJŠ Pam., 70 - sьzida že crьkovь Sopokjani). The exonarthex and a bell tower were added later, in the first half of the 14th century (resembling the Žiča Monastery). The church is a mausoleum of members of the royal Nemanjić members: the King's mother Anna Dandolo, Stefan Prvovenčani, Grand Duke Djordje and King Uroš I himself. It is a single nave edifice with three bays and a dome and has a three-partite semicircular apse as well as a narthex. On the sides of the narthex are separate chambers. On the outside, the edifice resembles a three-nave basilica (all side rooms, next to the altar, choirs and chapels are placed under one, single-pitched roof), which is also the element that distinguishes this building from the others of the Raška style group. The windows and portals were done by masters from the coastal area in the Romanesque style. The entire church was fresco painted around 1270. After being damaged, the church was reconstructed in the 15th century (at the time some alterations were made). After the Ottoman rule, in the 20th century, this site was reconstructed and renovated. |