Studenica Monastery

Studenica Monastery
Студеница Манастир
Studenica Manastir
Црква Свете Богородице
Crkva Svete Bogorodice
Exterior view of monastery
Studenica Monastery
Студеница Манастир
Studenica Manastir
43°29′9.996″N 20°32′12.012″E / 43.48611000°N 20.53667000°E / 43.48611000; 20.53667000
LocationStudenica, Kraljevo, Serbia
CountrySerbia
DenominationSerbian Orthodox
History
FounderStefan Nemanja
DedicationHoly Virgin
Architecture
Functional statusPublic access
StyleRaška school
Byzantine
Years built1190
Completed1190
Administration
ArchdioceseEparchy of Žiča
Location of Studenica Monastery within Serbia
Official nameStudenica Monastery
TypeCultural
Criteriai, ii, iv, vi
Designated1986 (10th session)
Reference no.389
RegionEurope
Official nameМанастир Студеница
TypeMonument of Culture of Exceptional Importance
Designated1979

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.

Studenica was declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1979, and is protected by the Republic of Serbia. In 1986 UNESCO included Studenica monastery on the list of World Heritage Sites, with the description:

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.