Visoki Decani Monastery
Visoki Decani Monastery
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Dating back to the 14th century, this is the best-preserved Serbian monastery that represents an exceptional synthesis of Byzantine and Western medieval styles.
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duhoz
Beroun, Czech Republic7,586 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
It was founded in the first half of the 14th century by King of Serbia Stefan Decanski and is listed on the UNRESCO World heritage Dečani Monastery is currently under guard from KFOR. 5€ entrance fee is worth of money as the beauty of monastery is inside. The part of the entrance fee was a knowledgeable guide. The frescoes inside are impressive as well as sculptures, murals, and icons. Taking pictures but without flash possible. The place is full of serenity and vibes.
After the churg visit you have to stop at the shop to buy souvenir, cheese pr wine made by monks. Excellent red or white wine for 10€ or even red, dry, quality barrique wine, made from Cabernet Sauvignon 20€. You can pay by credit cards
Of course you have to be properly dressed. And to enter the site, you need to bring and surrender passport to the KFOR unit at the gate.
After the churg visit you have to stop at the shop to buy souvenir, cheese pr wine made by monks. Excellent red or white wine for 10€ or even red, dry, quality barrique wine, made from Cabernet Sauvignon 20€. You can pay by credit cards
Of course you have to be properly dressed. And to enter the site, you need to bring and surrender passport to the KFOR unit at the gate.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julesbrodard
Fribourg, Switzerland1,513 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
In my opinion it is by far the most beautiful of the four Serbian monasteries in Kosovo listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First, this church seems to be the world's largest medieval fresco complex, and this beauty is breathtaking. Protected by KFOR, it is nestled in a very relaxing place, conducive to contemplation. Then we are well received, the atmosphere is pleasant and visitors are allowed to take pictures. You can also ask the very kind "sacristan". At the end of the tour, a small cafeteria has a "Selecta" type coffee machine that offers the best coffees ever enjoyed with this kind of device. Note that it is in the middle of this thousand frescoes that ufologists have spotted two beings flying in the sky using "spaceships". The sacristan will show the frescoes in question, very high towards the dome. In the end, it is simply the personification of the sun and the moon who also mourn the crucifixion of Jesus. This detail adds a touch of salt to an unforgettable visit. It would take a good telephoto lens to photograph them, but for details you can easily find the photos on the Internet.
Automatically translated
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toni T
Nashville, TN6,764 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
This functioning monastery and conference place is guarded 24/7 due to its importance to many peoples with a long history of conflict. No worries because the place was been peaceful since 2004. This is the largest Byzantine church in Balkan countries. The beautiful paintings are the work of 3 artists from various local countries. The grounds are well manicured with simple but striking trees and flowers. You must leave your passport with the guard during your visit.
Written September 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobEnJolanda
Zeist, The Netherlands244 contributions
Sep 2021
The monastery is a true quiet retreat in the middle of Kosovo, and fairly quiet (due to Covid-19). The priest told us they could have up to 4 tour buses at the same time, making it a pretty busy place. We found it a true gem, and enjoyed the fresco's in a quiet way. Also this monastery is under guard of KFOR and they will hold your passport while visiting.
Written December 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ramona
Auckland Central, New Zealand637 contributions
Jul 2022
It is a beautiful place that has been well-maintained and kept as is. There are lots of people here for worship and pilgrimage. You should be wearing long pants (men) and cover your knees (women). I suggest you read a bit about what the location is about before visiting so you understand the significance. It is a tourist trap in a sense that you’ll need to pay €5 for entry.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrc282
World9,688 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
to enter, you need to surrender passport at the gate to the KFOR soldiers. this is a well guarded monastery but worth the trouble to visit.
google map did not pin the location of this monastery correctly. it is not anywhere near a traffic circle. just follow road signs to monastery, then confirm by asking the locals where this place is.
google map did not pin the location of this monastery correctly. it is not anywhere near a traffic circle. just follow road signs to monastery, then confirm by asking the locals where this place is.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gaires2359
Melbourne, Australia380 contributions
Feb 2013 • Solo
Situated about 12km south of the town of Peje/Peja (Peć in Kosovan), it's a 90 minute public bus ride (costing a mere €2.50) from the capital of Pristina's main bus station. From Peje, the monastery can then be accessed via a further 5-minute/€2 cab ride or half hour leisurely track up a gentle slope to the village of Decani where the monastery is located.
You will need to have a visitor pass to enter the monastery; just bring along your international passport or EU ID card and hand it over to the ever present, most helpful and uber friendly Italian KFOR guards in exchange for your pass. The KFOR guard/officer will also contact one of the monks or priests to act as your guide.
There are about 25 monks and priests from around the world who live and work at the monastery. My guide was Padre Pietro, who was an extremely knowledgeable, soft-spoken but fluent English-speaking priest from Montenegro.
Once you enter the compound, you will see the church in the middle of the courtyard with the Refectory (yellowish building) directly ahead. Next to the Refectory (to it's right) is the Archimandrite's residence followed by the residence of Milos and the original bell tower.
The simple marble exterior of the church belies the ornately decorated interior which is covered in murals from the 14th century though parts of the chapel date back to the 11th century! So this is one very very old church that's been very well preserved! It's a working church that still holds daily services. I was there on a Saturday and they had a 6pm service but it's best to call ahead if you want to be sure to be able to attend.
Notable are the carvings on the portals to the church which depict the Baptism of Christ and Christ on His throne between two angels. Note also on the northern entrance which has angels, dragons and griffons as well as signs from the zodiac!
A dedication to the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski stands above the archway inside the church guarded by two pairs of animals which also serve as the border between the holy and profane.
Entering the church proper, you will be awed by the colourful gilded murals which illustrate the Calendar of Saints and the life of St George! One of the most visible sections depict St George's torture on the wheel, his killing of the dragon and his subsequent beheading. :-(
Finish your tour with a visit to the souvenir shop which is housed next to the stone arch which you entered from, this half-timbered building is the residence of Leontje. You will find postcards of various sizes printed with close-ups of the murals, leather craft, religious icons (rosaries etc), videos of ceremonies celebrating Orthodox feast days, votive candles and incense which you can purchase and place inside the church/chapels.
Since 2004, the Dečani Monastery was made part of a collective of Medieval Monuments in Kosovo that has been placed on the UNESCO list of heritage sites that are in danger. And just to illustrate it's precarious nature, two days prior to my visit to the site (8 Feb), the KFOR and KPS (Kosovo police) alerted by the monks of an imminent protest, had to block off the monastery in order to prevent the extremists from approaching it...so, if you are ever in the vicinity, be sure to visit. And to ensure a safe visit, check the B92 site for the latest news updates on the political situation and call the number below or visit the Decani website for more details.
You will need to have a visitor pass to enter the monastery; just bring along your international passport or EU ID card and hand it over to the ever present, most helpful and uber friendly Italian KFOR guards in exchange for your pass. The KFOR guard/officer will also contact one of the monks or priests to act as your guide.
There are about 25 monks and priests from around the world who live and work at the monastery. My guide was Padre Pietro, who was an extremely knowledgeable, soft-spoken but fluent English-speaking priest from Montenegro.
Once you enter the compound, you will see the church in the middle of the courtyard with the Refectory (yellowish building) directly ahead. Next to the Refectory (to it's right) is the Archimandrite's residence followed by the residence of Milos and the original bell tower.
The simple marble exterior of the church belies the ornately decorated interior which is covered in murals from the 14th century though parts of the chapel date back to the 11th century! So this is one very very old church that's been very well preserved! It's a working church that still holds daily services. I was there on a Saturday and they had a 6pm service but it's best to call ahead if you want to be sure to be able to attend.
Notable are the carvings on the portals to the church which depict the Baptism of Christ and Christ on His throne between two angels. Note also on the northern entrance which has angels, dragons and griffons as well as signs from the zodiac!
A dedication to the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski stands above the archway inside the church guarded by two pairs of animals which also serve as the border between the holy and profane.
Entering the church proper, you will be awed by the colourful gilded murals which illustrate the Calendar of Saints and the life of St George! One of the most visible sections depict St George's torture on the wheel, his killing of the dragon and his subsequent beheading. :-(
Finish your tour with a visit to the souvenir shop which is housed next to the stone arch which you entered from, this half-timbered building is the residence of Leontje. You will find postcards of various sizes printed with close-ups of the murals, leather craft, religious icons (rosaries etc), videos of ceremonies celebrating Orthodox feast days, votive candles and incense which you can purchase and place inside the church/chapels.
Since 2004, the Dečani Monastery was made part of a collective of Medieval Monuments in Kosovo that has been placed on the UNESCO list of heritage sites that are in danger. And just to illustrate it's precarious nature, two days prior to my visit to the site (8 Feb), the KFOR and KPS (Kosovo police) alerted by the monks of an imminent protest, had to block off the monastery in order to prevent the extremists from approaching it...so, if you are ever in the vicinity, be sure to visit. And to ensure a safe visit, check the B92 site for the latest news updates on the political situation and call the number below or visit the Decani website for more details.
Written March 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleksandar A
Belgrade, Serbia86 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Holy Monastery Visoki Decani was built early in XIV century and it represent masterpiece of Serbian medieval architecture. This monastery contains extraordinary mixture of Byzantine architecture with significant influence of Western - Christianity. Beautiful frescoes and elements of facade made of marble are simply breathtaking. This amazing mixture created unique amalgam which could not be found anywhere else. Monastery is nested on the bank of mountain river and surrounded with tick forest of oak and chestnut threes.
Father Peter would be your personal tour guide. He is very eloquent and willing to answer on all your questions. He speaks English and Russian so don't worry about language barrier.
Next to the monastery is the small souvenir shop. You may find excellent hand painted icons in Byzantine stile, books including books about monastery in several languages etc. I strongly recommend to purchase red wine produced in monastery's wine cellar. This part of Serbia (Kosovo) has more than 800 years of tradition in producing wines.
Although shrine is on the UNESCO list, it is severely jeopardized and suffered several assaults including shelling.
Father Peter would be your personal tour guide. He is very eloquent and willing to answer on all your questions. He speaks English and Russian so don't worry about language barrier.
Next to the monastery is the small souvenir shop. You may find excellent hand painted icons in Byzantine stile, books including books about monastery in several languages etc. I strongly recommend to purchase red wine produced in monastery's wine cellar. This part of Serbia (Kosovo) has more than 800 years of tradition in producing wines.
Although shrine is on the UNESCO list, it is severely jeopardized and suffered several assaults including shelling.
Written July 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kev B
St Helens, UK217 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
The locals are so not interested in helping you out with directions that its ridiculous. Obviously local resentment but I was both ignored and shunned by different locals.
Once on the right route it is a leisurely 1 minute walk up a quite quiet private road leading to the monastery and the army base next door. you have to go through what looks like a military checkpoint and road block before even hitting the gate where they will exchange your passport for a visitors' pass.
Once inside you are presented with small but very well kept grounds surrounded by buildings on 3 sides with the monastery in the centre. With the exception of the [hole in the ground] toilets and small shop, the only building you can enter is the monastery.
The monastery from the outside looks amazing (apparently it has just had the outside cleaned) with wonderfully preserved Romanesque stonework which is very white and looks great in the sun. A monk met us and showed us the interior which has every wall from the floor to the very high ceilings covered in 13th century frescos depicting religious scenes. The interior does not have god lighting and there is a no flash rule.
Warning. If you have read about this place in a guide book then read this:
They sold no cheese
They sold no honey
If you have read about being able to see anything other than what was described above then you will be disappointed as you can no longer see the dining room and there is no longer a collection of religious artefacts here as they were moved to Serbia during times of violence and attacks.
That being said, it is a lovely peaceful place to visit and very cheap to get to from both Pristina and especially from Peja and with many buses, the journey is easier than you may expect.
Once on the right route it is a leisurely 1 minute walk up a quite quiet private road leading to the monastery and the army base next door. you have to go through what looks like a military checkpoint and road block before even hitting the gate where they will exchange your passport for a visitors' pass.
Once inside you are presented with small but very well kept grounds surrounded by buildings on 3 sides with the monastery in the centre. With the exception of the [hole in the ground] toilets and small shop, the only building you can enter is the monastery.
The monastery from the outside looks amazing (apparently it has just had the outside cleaned) with wonderfully preserved Romanesque stonework which is very white and looks great in the sun. A monk met us and showed us the interior which has every wall from the floor to the very high ceilings covered in 13th century frescos depicting religious scenes. The interior does not have god lighting and there is a no flash rule.
Warning. If you have read about this place in a guide book then read this:
They sold no cheese
They sold no honey
If you have read about being able to see anything other than what was described above then you will be disappointed as you can no longer see the dining room and there is no longer a collection of religious artefacts here as they were moved to Serbia during times of violence and attacks.
That being said, it is a lovely peaceful place to visit and very cheap to get to from both Pristina and especially from Peja and with many buses, the journey is easier than you may expect.
Written May 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smokedeel
Athens, Greece350 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Many reasons to visit this monastery. Friendly, open-minded monks, lovely surroundings, beautiful grounds, and, above all, incredible frescoes inside the main church. It is hard to believe that these frescoes date back to the 14th century and are so well preserved. The colors are vivid and the figures lively, all painted against a background of "byzantine blue", a truly magnificent color. There is a gift shop, with tasteful copies of some frescoes, as well as locally distilled rakija and wine. If in Kosovo, it would be a pity to miss out.
Written October 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quanto tempo in media ci si dedica alla visita?
Written May 10, 2019
Ciao, la duranta dipende da te. Premesso che devi lasciare i documenti al check point militare KFOR fuori dal monastero e che dentro non puoi portare macchine fotografiche, la durata dipende dall'antenzione che vuoi dedicare alla visita dell'interno, al fatto che se trovi padre Benedetto, monaco italiano, magari ti porta in giro e ti illustra tutto con la docuta calma, al fatto che magari c'è una funzione e la vuoi guardare almeno in parte, al fatto che vuoi fermarti a bere un caffè nella foresteria o dare un'occhiata allo shop. Diciamo da un minimo di un'ora in su. Noi ci siamo rimasti oltre tre ore. E penso proprio che ci torneremo.
Written May 10, 2019
want to visit novi pazar afterwards - reccomendations on where to stay in the area?
Written February 24, 2015
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