{"id":10146,"date":"2025-10-01T10:03:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T08:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/what-to-see\/holy-sites\/monasteries\/manastir-svetog-nikole\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T08:28:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T06:28:30","slug":"monastery-of-saint-nicholas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/what-to-see\/holy-sites\/monasteries\/monastery-of-saint-nicholas\/","title":{"rendered":"Monastery of Saint Nicholas"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column]<div class=\"wpex-template-shortcode\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid wpex-relative\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><style>.vcex-breadcrumbs.vcex_6a13e28d0180f{--wpex-hover-link-color:var(--wpex-accent);}<\/style><nav class=\"vcex-breadcrumbs vcex-breadcrumbs--links-inherit-color vcex_6a13e28d0180f\"><span class=\"trail-begin\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/\" rel=\"home\"><span>Home<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid wpex-relative\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><style>.vcex-page-title.vcex_6a13e28d02833 .vcex-page-title__heading{font-weight:300;}<\/style><div class=\"vcex-page-title vcex-module wpex-mb-20 vcex_6a13e28d02833\"><h1 class=\"vcex-page-title__heading wpex-heading wpex-text-3xl\"><span class=\"vcex-page-title__text\">Monastery of Saint Nicholas<\/span><\/h1><\/div>\t<div class=\"vcex-social-share vcex-module\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpex-social-share style-flat position-horizontal wpex-mx-auto wpex-print-hidden\" data-target=\"_blank\" data-source=\"https%3A%2F%2Ftokursumlija.rs%2Fen%2F\" data-url=\"https%3A%2F%2Ftokursumlija.rs%2Fen%2Fwhat-to-see%2Fholy-sites%2Fmonasteries%2Fmonastery-of-saint-nicholas%2F\" data-title=\"Monastery of Saint 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0-65.7-8.9-94-25.7l-6.7-4-69.8 18.3L72 359.2l-4.4-7c-18.5-29.4-28.2-63.3-28.2-98.2 0-101.7 82.8-184.5 184.6-184.5 49.3 0 95.6 19.2 130.4 54.1 34.8 34.9 56.2 81.2 56.1 130.5 0 101.8-84.9 184.6-186.6 184.6zm101.2-138.2c-5.5-2.8-32.8-16.2-37.9-18-5.1-1.9-8.8-2.8-12.5 2.8-3.7 5.6-14.3 18-17.6 21.8-3.2 3.7-6.5 4.2-12 1.4-32.6-16.3-54-29.1-75.5-66-5.7-9.8 5.7-9.1 16.3-30.3 1.8-3.7 .9-6.9-.5-9.7-1.4-2.8-12.5-30.1-17.1-41.2-4.5-10.8-9.1-9.3-12.5-9.5-3.2-.2-6.9-.2-10.6-.2-3.7 0-9.7 1.4-14.8 6.9-5.1 5.6-19.4 19-19.4 46.3 0 27.3 19.9 53.7 22.6 57.4 2.8 3.7 39.1 59.7 94.8 83.8 35.2 15.2 49 16.5 66.6 13.9 10.7-1.6 32.8-13.4 37.4-26.4 4.6-13 4.6-24.1 3.2-26.4-1.3-2.5-5-3.9-10.5-6.6z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wpex-social-share__label wpex-label\">Whatsapp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wpex-social-share__item wpex-m-0 wpex-p-0 wpex-inline-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" class=\"wpex-social-share__link 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href=\"#\" role=\"button\" class=\"wpex-social-share__link wpex-social-share__link--email wpex-email wpex-flex wpex-items-center wpex-justify-center wpex-no-underline wpex-gap-10 wpex-duration-150 wpex-transition-colors wpex-social-bg\" aria-label=\"Share via Email\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wpex-social-share__icon\"><span class=\"wpex-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M48 64C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112c0 15.1 7.1 29.3 19.2 38.4L236.8 313.6c11.4 8.5 27 8.5 38.4 0L492.8 150.4c12.1-9.1 19.2-23.3 19.2-38.4c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48zM0 176V384c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64H448c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64V176L294.4 339.2c-22.8 17.1-54 17.1-76.8 0L0 176z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wpex-social-share__label wpex-label\">Email<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>[vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7937 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1366\" height=\"813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-01.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-01-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-01-1024x609.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-01-768x457.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Monastery of Saint Nicholas is located in the eastern part of present-day Kur\u0161umlija, on a high plateau above the confluence of the Banjska River and the Toplica River. It is the oldest endowment of Stefan Nemanja (1166\u20131196), who, together with the nearby Monastery of the Holy Virgin, built it between 1159 and 1166 in the Toplica region, where he ruled as an appanage prince. The church is a single-nave structure with a segmented dome, built in the style of Constantinople endowments from the period of the Byzantine Komnenos dynasty. The altar area is divided into three sections, while on the southern side a special annex was built containing a tomb intended for the burial of the founder.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7938\" src=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1366\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-02.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-02-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-02-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-02-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>During the reign of Stefan the First-Crowned (1196\u20131227), an exonarthex (porch) with two tall bell towers was added to the western side of the church. After the Serbian Orthodox Church gained autocephaly in 1219, the monastery became the seat of the Toplica Bishopric, and for a period also the seat of a metropolitanate. During the reign of King Milutin (1282\u20131321), a chapel was added to the northern side of the church.<\/p>\n<p>The monastery remained active until the Great Migration of the Serbs in 1690, after which a period of decline and destruction began. In the mid-19th century, the monastery was devastated by Sulj Krve\u0161 and Mula Halil while searching for treasure. Although the church was once fully fresco-painted, only a few fragments survive today. Archaeological excavations at the site confirmed the existence of an ancient and medieval necropolis, as well as remains of the monastery complex (tower, refectory, and bishop\u2019s palace).<\/p>\n<p>The Monastery of Saint Nicholas has been declared a cultural monument of exceptional importance and represents one of the most significant churches in Serbian medieval history.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7939 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-03.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1366\" height=\"834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-03.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-03-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-03-1024x625.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-03-768x469.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>The First Endowments of Stefan Nemanja<\/h3>\n<p>Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanji\u0107 ruling dynasty and creator of the medieval Serbian state, began his political, military, and architectural legacy in present-day Kur\u0161umlija.<\/p>\n<p>Stefan Nemanja was born in Ribnica (present-day Podgorica) in 1113 as the youngest son of the Serbian nobleman Zavida, and died on February 26 (13), 1199, in the Serbian monastery of Hilandar in Greece. His descendants were Vukan, Stefan, and Rastko (Saint Sava). At that time, Byzantium was ruled first by Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (1143\u20131180), and later by Isaac Angelos (1185\u20131195). Nemanja\u2019s biographers included Saint Sava, Stefan the First-Crowned, and Domentijan.<\/p>\n<p>When he came of age, Nemanja received as an appanage prince the administration of the regions around Toplica, Ibar, Rasina, and Reka. It is believed that the seat of his principality was located in the area of Toplica, that is, present-day Kur\u0161umlija.<\/p>\n<p>During the meeting between Nemanja and Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos in Ni\u0161 in 1159, the emperor granted Nemanja the \u201cimperial dream,\u201d a court dignity, and then bestowed upon him the \u017eupa of Dubo\u010dica (the area around present-day Leskovac) for him and his heirs to enjoy. Strengthened in power and prestige, he began building monasteries in his capital, which led to conflict with his brothers. In Kur\u0161umlija, he built his first two endowments: the Monastery of Saint Nicholas and the Monastery of the Holy Virgin. Both monastery churches were covered with lead plates that reflected a white glow in the sunlight, giving the place the name \u201cWhite Churches.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the struggle for power with his brothers (Tihomir, Stracimir, and Miroslav), Nemanja emerged victorious and became GRAND \u017dUPAN in 1168, after which he moved the seat of the state to Ras. He ruled until 1196, when he handed the throne over to his middle son Stefan and became a monk (Simeon, later Simeon the Myrrh-streaming) on Mount Athos, in his endowment Hilandar, where he died at the age of 86.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7940\" src=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-04.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1366\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-04.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-04-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-04-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tokurs-manastir-svetog-nikole-04-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1366px) 100vw, 1366px\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HomeMonastery of Saint Nicholas Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Print Email The Monastery of Saint Nicholas is located in the eastern part of present-day Kur\u0161umlija, on a high plateau above the confluence of the Banjska River and the Toplica River. It is the oldest endowment of Stefan Nemanja (1166\u20131196), who, together with the nearby Monastery of the&hellip;","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":10105,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10146","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry","no-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10146"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10154,"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10146\/revisions\/10154"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tokursumlija.rs\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}