Studenica Monastery

Studenica Monastery Студеница Манастир Studenica Manastir
Црква Свете Богородице Crkva Svete Bogorodice
Exterior view of monastery
43°29′9.996″N 20°32′12.012″E / 43.48611000°N 20.53667000°E / 43.48611000; 20.53667000
Location	Studenica, Kraljevo, Serbia
Country	Serbia
Denomination	Serbian Orthodox
History
Founder(s)	Stefan Nemanja
Dedication	Holy Virgin
Architecture
Functional status	Public access
Style	Raška school Byzantine
Years built	1190
Completed	1190
Administration
Archdiocese	Eparchy of Žiča
Historic site
Location of Studenica Monastery within Serbia
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Studenica Monastery
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iv, vi
Designated	1986 (10th session)
Reference no.	389
Region	Europe
Cultural Heritage of Serbia
Official name	Манастир Студеница
Type	Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance
Designated	1979

The Studenica Monastery (Serbian: Манастир Студеница / Manastir Studenica, pronounced [mânastiːr studɛ̌nit͡sa]) is a 12th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery situated 39 kilometres (24 mi) southwest of Kraljevo and 40.9 kilometres (25.4 mi) east of Ivanjica, in central Serbia. It is one of the largest and richest Serb Orthodox monasteries.

Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the medieval Serb state, founded the monastery in 1190. The monastery's fortified walls encompass two churches: the Church of the Virgin, and the Church of the King, both of which were built using white marble. The monastery is best known for its collection of 13th- and 14th century Byzantine-style fresco paintings.

Studenica was declared Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1979, and it is protected by Republic of Serbia, and in 1986 UNESCO included Studenica monastery on the list of World Heritage Sites, with the description:^[1]

The Studenica Monastery was established in the late 12th century by Stefan Nemanja, founder of the medieval Serb state, shortly after his abdication. It is the largest and richest of Serbia's Orthodox monasteries. Its two principal monuments, the Church of the Virgin and the Church of the King, both built of white marble, enshrine priceless collections of 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine painting.