Monastery of St. Petka Ostrovica, Serbian Orthodox monastery near Sićevačka gorge, Serbia.
The Monastery of St. Petka Ostrovica is a single-nave structure built in Serbian-Byzantine style within the Niš Diocese territory. It sits near the dramatic Sićevačka Gorge, a notable landscape feature in the region.
The monastery was founded in the 14th century during the reign of Uros Nejaki and served as shelter for monks fleeing invasions. Its establishment marks an important moment in Serbian monastic history of that era.
The name reflects Georgian monks who established a community here and left their mark on the place. Today, visitors can sense this Eastern presence in the building's details and how the site is used for worship.
The monastery is accessible by car from Niš, located near the E-80 road, with the drive taking about 30 minutes from the city center. The site is straightforward to reach and works well as a day trip, especially combined with a visit to the nearby gorge.
The building features a distinctive blue ceiling design meant to represent the sky, creating a striking visual impression inside. It also holds the unusual distinction of being Serbia's first military monastery, a role that shaped its historical importance.
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