Končul Monastery, Orthodox monastery along Ibar River in Raška, Serbia
Končul Monastery is an Orthodox monastery on the left bank of the Ibar River with a one-nave church featuring a distinctive cupola and semicircular apses. The complex includes workshops for tailoring, machine embroidery, and icon painting housed within its renovated buildings.
The monastery was founded in 1175 by Stefan Nemanja and later became a significant religious center in medieval Serbia. It served as the seat of the Ibar diocese under King Milutin and underwent periods of destruction and restoration across the centuries.
The name comes from a nearby spring, reflecting the site's deep connection to its natural surroundings. The nuns continue traditional crafts like embroidery and icon painting today, which shape the daily rhythm of monastic life.
Visiting is best done in warmer months when river access is easier and pathways are clearer. The best view of the complex comes from the riverbank, where you can see the entire facade and surrounding structures.
Saint Sava spent his first night here while fleeing to Mount Athos, making this site a symbolic point on his spiritual journey. This episode connects the monastery to one of the most important figures in Serbian religious history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
