Središte monastery

Srediste is a stone monastery set within the Banat plain, bordered by the villages of Malo Srediste and Veliko Srediste from which it takes its name. The complex contains a main church building along with residential quarters for monks and supporting structures for monastic life.

The monastery was founded in the late 15th century by Despot Jovan Brankovic as part of efforts to strengthen Orthodox Christianity in the northern Balkans. This establishment became one of several religious centers that helped spread Serbian Orthodox faith across the Banat region.

The monastery serves as a living center of Serbian Orthodox faith for the surrounding communities and maintains daily spiritual practices rooted in monastic tradition. People in the area regard it as a spiritual anchor that shapes the religious identity of the Banat region.

The site is located in Vršac municipality and can be reached by following local paths from the nearby villages. Visitors should check opening hours in advance and wear respectful clothing when entering, as it remains an active place of prayer and study.

The monastery shares its name with two villages called Malo and Veliko, which mean small and large respectively, creating a distinctive naming pattern across the landscape. This reflects an ancient arrangement where the monastery served as the central reference point that shaped the identity of surrounding settlements.