Zavala Monastery, located on the edge of Popovo polje at the foot of Mount Ostrog, is one of the most significant spiritual and cultural monuments in the region. Although there is no reliable information about the exact time of its construction, according to tradition it is associated with Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor, who, after building a large church in Slano, visited Zavala and, seeing the piety of the local population, decided to build a temple.
The oldest known written document about the monastery dates back to 1514 and refers to a certificate of sale of vineyards to the abbot of the monastery, Serafion. The specificity of the Church of the Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos lies in its architecture, adapted to the natural environment. The northern side of the church is embedded under a rock, which also forms part of its wall, creating the impression of a monastic hermitage.
The interior of the church is richly decorated with frescoes created by the famous Serbian painter and Chilandar monk Georgije Mitrofanović in 1619. Of particular note is the icon of Emmanuel (the Infant Jesus), painted on the vault of the church, which holds a special place in the iconography of this monastery.
Zavala Monastery has a significant historical and spiritual role, and is associated with Saint Basil of Ostrog, one of the most revered saints of the Orthodox Church. Saint Basil was a novice at this monastery, and was born in the nearby village of Mrkonjići, where a church built in his honor now stands.
Zavala Monastery attracts visitors with its rich history, spirituality, and unique blend of nature and architecture.
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