Bukovo monastery, Serbian Orthodox monastery in Negotin, Serbia
Bukovo Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery 4 km from Negotin on the Zaječar–Negotin road, on the slope of Bratujevac. Its church, dedicated to St Nicholas, is a single-nave cross-shaped building of dressed stone, 18.80 m long, 8.55 m wide and 6.90 m high, without a dome, with a later-added narthex and a square-based bell tower above the entrance.
The monastery was likely founded in the late 13th or early 14th century, during a period when medieval Serbian rulers were establishing religious sites across the region. The site was rebuilt and expanded several times over the following centuries, leaving traces of each phase still visible today.
Bukovo monastery is an active pilgrimage site for Orthodox believers from the Negotin area. The painted walls inside the church show frescoes made by local craftsmen across different centuries, each section reflecting a distinct style.
The monastery sits a short drive west of Negotin along a road that passes through hills and vineyards. Visiting during daylight hours is recommended, as the church interior and courtyard are best seen in natural light.
In 2023, restoration of the church's painted interior uncovered 14th-century frescoes in the altar, including a figure of John Chrysostom; older fragments also survive in the nave. The Serbian writer Svetolik Ranković wrote his novel "Porušeni ideali" at the monastery. The monastery still produces wine and has won several wine awards.
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