Gomionica Monastery, Serbian Orthodox monastery in Kmećani, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gomionica is a Serbian Orthodox monastery near Kmećani comprising a church, traditional konak building, cemetery, and stone walls positioned at the base of Zmijanje plateau. The complex preserves a collection of religious artifacts and icons spanning from the 16th to 19th centuries.
First documented in the 15th century under the name Zalužje, the monastery preserves manuscripts and printed books from the 14th to 17th centuries. After suffering damage during World War II and subsequent hardship, it was rebuilt and transformed into one of only two female Serbian Orthodox monasteries in northern Bosnia.
The monastery serves as a living center for Serbian Orthodox spirituality, where daily religious practices and prayers remain central to its community life. The sacred spaces within the complex reflect how this site continues to function as a place of devotion and spiritual gathering.
The monastery sits approximately 42 kilometers west of Banja Luka and is accessible via marked roads leading to Kmećani village. Visitors should prepare for rural roads and consider local conditions when planning a visit.
Originally a male community, the monastery transformed into a female convent after wartime destruction and loss in the 1940s, becoming one of only two such communities in the region. This unusual shift reflects how the site adapted to new circumstances while maintaining its spiritual mission.
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