Divša monastery, Orthodox monastery in Fruška Gora, Serbia
Divša monastery is an Orthodox monastery on a forested hillside in Fruška Gora, Serbia, built around a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, residential quarters, and the remains of a bell tower foundation. The buildings are arranged close together in the typical layout of a Serbian Orthodox monastic site, with spaces for worship and communal living side by side.
The monastery was founded in 1401 by Serbian Despot Jovan Branković, although the earliest written records of it come from the late 16th century. Over the centuries the site was restored and rebuilt several times, gaining new elements with each phase of work.
The monastery holds fragments of a Four Gospels manuscript from the late 15th century, one of the oldest surviving Serbian religious texts of its kind. Visitors who step inside the church will notice the carved wooden iconostasis, decorated in a Romanian style.
It is a good idea to call ahead before visiting, as the monastery is an active religious site and may not always be open to visitors. The location is on a forested hillside, so sturdy footwear is helpful, and visitors should bring clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
The church's iconostasis was made in the 2000s by the Minić workshop and combines Romanian-style woodcarvings with wall paintings by Bojan Stanković. The collaboration between Serbian and Romanian craftsmen on a contemporary religious commission is rare in the region.
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