Manasija monastery

Manasija monastery, also known as Resava, is a Serbian Orthodox monastery in central Serbia founded in the early 15th century by Despot Stefan Lazarević. It is recognised for its large defensive walls and cultural importance.

The site combines a monastic church with extensive defensive walls and towers, and interior fresco fragments dating from the early 1400s. Visitors typically view the exterior fortifications and enter the church to see surviving painted decoration and iconography.

Founded around the early 1400s by Despot Stefan Lazarević, the monastery served as a religious, cultural and literary centre in medieval Serbia. It was fortified during construction and later experienced periods of damage and restoration over the centuries.

Manasija stands near the town of Despotovac in central Serbia, set within a rural valley landscape and reachable by local roads from the surrounding region.

• Distinctive feature: The monastery is notable for its early 15th-century architecture and fortifications, which make it an example of a fortified monastic complex in medieval Serbia.

What to See #

• Fortifications: The fortified enceinte comprises high defensive walls and corner towers that enclose the monastic complex and were built to protect the site in the early 15th century.
• Main church and frescoes: The main church contains early 15th-century fresco fragments and icons that represent the monastery's historical role as a religious and cultural centre.