Janja Monastery, Serbian Orthodox monastery in Nova Varoš, Serbia
Janja Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery near Nova Varoš located on the bank of the Uvac River, built with architecture in the medieval Raška school style. Archaeological digs revealed a simple, single-nave building with the typical features of this artistic period.
The monastery was founded in 1401 and suffered severe destruction by the end of the 17th century, after which it remained abandoned for three centuries. Restoration work began in 2008 and continues today.
The monastery displays religious artifacts and wall paintings that reflect Serbian Orthodox traditions and practices. These findings offer visitors insight into the spiritual life of earlier centuries.
The site lies on a riverbank and is easy to reach on foot, though the setting is quite rural. Visitors should expect rustic conditions and wear sturdy shoes.
The site contains traces of several epochs: Bronze Age burial mounds, Roman tombs, and a 9th-century cemetery all lie in the same area. These layers tell a long history of settlement in this river valley.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
