The Medieval Monasteries

Among Kosovo's most precious historic treasures are its medieval Orthodox monasteries, several grouped together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their outstanding Byzantine art. The greatest is Visoki Dečani, a magnificent fourteenth-century monastery church of banded marble whose interior is covered with one of the largest and best-preserved collections of medieval Byzantine frescoes in the region, some thousand painted figures glowing in the candlelit gloom. Alongside it, the Patriarchate of Peć and the Gračanica monastery near Pristina share this exquisite artistic heritage, serene and deeply atmospheric places of worship set in the beautiful Kosovo countryside.

What you actually see

• Visoki Dečani - the marble church and its magnificent frescoes.
• The Patriarchate of Peć - the historic monastery complex near Peja.
• Gračanica - the elegant frescoed monastery near Pristina.
• The Byzantine art - the exquisite medieval wall paintings.

When to go

May to October, for the most pleasant weather to visit the monasteries and combine them with the surrounding countryside; they are working religious sites, so visitors should dress modestly, be quiet and respectful, and note that opening times and access can vary, sometimes requiring passing a security checkpoint given the sites' sensitivity.

Honest expectations

These are active, sensitive religious sites, some under special protection, so access can require security checks and is at the monasteries' discretion, and photography inside the frescoed churches is usually not permitted; modest dress and quiet respect are essential. Set within the layered and at times contested history of the region, they are best approached simply as places of worship and extraordinary art. As jewels of medieval Byzantine frescoes, though, they are among the most beautiful and moving sights in the Balkans.

Nearby

The city of Peja, the Rugova Canyon and Prizren are within reach.