Donji Brčeli Monastery, Serbian Orthodox monastery in Virpazar, Montenegro.
Donji Brčeli Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery near Virpazar enclosed by stone walls and featuring a bell tower and traditional konak building. The structures reflect Crmnica architectural style, a regional building approach common to the area.
The monastery was founded in 1401 by Jelena Balšić, daughter of Prince Lazar of Serbia, as a refuge for religious life. After 1714, it received monks fleeing pressure from Ottoman forces, becoming an important shelter during difficult times.
The monastery serves as a place where the Orthodox community gathers for religious services and maintains traditional practices passed down through generations. The rituals and way of life here reflect the spiritual heritage that shapes daily religious observance.
The monastery welcomes visitors to explore its church and grounds, and appropriate dress is recommended when entering religious spaces. Visiting outside main service times allows for a quieter experience of the site.
The monastery holds the remains of Šćepan Mali, a ruler who claimed to be Russian Tsar Peter III and governed Montenegro from 1767 to 1773. This unusual connection between Montenegro and Russian claims to power forms a striking chapter in regional history.
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