Zrze Monastery

Zrze sits on the edge of a cliff above the Pelagonia plain northwest of Prilep, founded in the fourteenth century and known for its painting: the church of the Transfiguration holds frescoes of that period, and the monastery produced icons, including work by the painter Makarije Zograf, that are among the more important surviving in the country. The terrace at the cliff edge looks out over the whole plain. The monastery was a landholder of consequence in the medieval period and its estates ran down onto the plain below, which is part of why it could support a painting workshop of that quality.

What you actually see

• The cliff terrace - the monastery on the edge above the Pelagonia plain.
• The Transfiguration church - the fourteenth-century building and its frescoes.
• The icon tradition - the painting workshop the monastery is known for.
• The plain view - Pelagonia spread out below the terrace.

When to go

April to October is the season for the road. The monastery is open daily outside services. Winter access can be difficult.

Honest expectations

The road up is narrow and rough in places. Photography inside is usually prohibited. Some of the most important icons are held in museums rather than here.

Nearby

Prilep is southeast, and Treskavec is east.