Veljusa Monastery, Orthodox monastery in Strumica Municipality, North Macedonia
Veljusa Monastery is an Orthodox spiritual site in Strumica Municipality featuring a four-apse structure topped with three domes. The exterior walls display ceramic decorations and colorful ornaments, while auxiliary buildings surround the main sanctuary.
The monastery was established in 1080 by a monk named Manuel and gained official recognition from Byzantine authorities shortly after through an imperial document. This early support allowed it to develop as a significant religious center in the region.
The interior walls display religious artwork depicting saints and biblical stories that developed over time. Visitors walking through the complex can observe how these images reflect the spiritual traditions of the Eastern Orthodox faith.
The monastery sits in a rural location west of Strumica and is accessible from the town. The grounds house an active community of nuns, and visitors are welcome to explore with respect for religious practices and spaces.
The monastery floor preserves original geometric mosaics laid by early builders that remain visible today. One of the chapels contains a distinctive artistic representation that rarely appears in religious buildings of this period.
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