Banja Monastery, Serbian Orthodox monastery in Priboj Municipality, Serbia
Banja Monastery is an Orthodox monastic complex in Priboj Municipality, southwestern Serbia, made up of three separate churches dedicated to St Nicholas, St Elijah, and the Assumption of Mary. The buildings are spread across a large plot of land, each with stone walls, sloped roofs, and narrow windows that are common in medieval Serbian religious architecture.
The monastery was founded in the early 14th century and became an important religious center in medieval Serbia. It was damaged during the Ottoman period but later rebuilt, and the different construction phases are still visible across the three churches today.
The monastery is still active, and visitors can attend or observe Orthodox services, especially on feast days when pilgrims gather from across the region. The three churches are used for different occasions, so it is common to see one open and full of worshippers while the others remain quiet.
The complex is generally open year-round, but access to some areas may be limited during religious services. Dress modestly and wear comfortable shoes, as the three churches are spread across the grounds and require some walking.
The monastery is one of the few in Serbia to have three fully standing churches on the same grounds, each built in a different period. This makes it possible to compare different styles of stone construction side by side without leaving the site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
