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.

Background

The monastery lies near the village of Zrze, about 25 km north-west of Prilep. Monks once lived in hollows carved into the cliffs, a practice believed to go back to the 3rd and 4th centuries, and remains of pillars and a basilica show the area's older past. Frescoes of great artistic value were added to the church walls in the 14th century, though only fragments survive after several renovations. The icon of the Holy Virgin Pelagonitissa, dated 1421 and painted at Zrze by Makarije Zograf, is counted among the last great works of Byzantine icon painting, and the monastery is still active today.

Source: Wikipedia, "Zrze Monastery"

What you'll find

• 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.

Things to know

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.

Key facts