Drača monastery

Drača Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastic complex located in the Dračka river valley on the slopes of Rujevica hill, with a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The site contains multiple buildings arranged around the central sanctuary.

The monastery was founded in 1734 by Kragujevac captain Mlatišuma, but archaeological traces show an older church had stood at the site since the late 14th century. The complex thus blends elements from different historical periods.

The interior walls feature frescoes painted in 1735 by artists from Moscopole, showing important examples of 18th-century religious art. These paintings still define how the sanctuary looks today.

The monastery sits roughly ten kilometers west of Kragujevac and can be reached by bus line or arranged through local tourist services. Visitors should be prepared for the hilly terrain when exploring the grounds.

The monastery transitioned from a male to a female community in 1958 when abbess Jelena Jokic took over management and reshaped the place's direction. This shift made it an important center for women religious communities in the region.

Location: Drača

Website: http://draca.rs

GPS coordinates: 44.02570,20.78960

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05