Drača monastery, Serbian Orthodox monastery in Drača village near Kragujevac, Serbia.
Drača Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery in the valley of the Dračka river, on the slopes of Rujevica hill, with a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Several buildings surround the central church, arranged across the sloping ground of the site.
The monastery was founded in 1734 by Mlatišuma, a captain from Kragujevac, though archaeological traces point to an earlier church at the same location dating back to the late 14th century. What stands today reflects both that older layer and the 18th-century construction.
The frescoes inside the church were painted in 1735 by artists from Moscopole, a city in what is now Albania known for its painters. These works are still visible on the walls today and give the interior a character that sets it apart from other monasteries in the region.
The monastery is located west of Kragujevac and can be reached by road through hilly terrain. Comfortable footwear is recommended, as the paths between the buildings follow the natural slope of the hillside.
In 1958, the monastery changed from a male to a female monastic community when abbess Jelena Jokić took over its leadership. This transition gave the site a new role and made it one of the few women's communities in the area with a documented founding moment.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
