Despotovac Things to Do

2 more images

Manasija also known as Resava is Serbian Orthodox monastery founded by despot Stefan Lazarevic between 1407 and 1418. Monastery had become the cultural center of the Serbia immediately following its foundation. Due to expansion of Ottoman Empire and its powerful military force, monastery was built as the strong defensive fortification. Manasija monastery had been wrecked and demolished many times during the four centuries of Ottoman rule – in 1439, 1456, 1476 and 1734. It had been rebuilt and repaired many times as well – in 1735, 1806, 1810, 1845, 1956, 1959-1962 and finally 2005-2007 with the aim to be reopened for the public on 6 centuries anniversary.

Manasija monastery complex consists of Crkva Svete Trojice – the Church of the Holy Trinity, the refectory or "the school" (placed to the south of the Church, nowadays severely damaged) and the fortification wall with eleven towers.

This city is a strange city. Since over 65% of the population lives in foregine countrys they only come over the summer june- august then after that this turns to a gost town. But never the lest. In the city of Despotovac its mostly cafes and restaurants not so much to see and do besides the famose Monostary " Manastir Manasia", just outside Despotovac.

Take a stroll in the beautiful city park, enjoy a icecream or a coold drink, nice shade from big trees but still bright and airy place.

There is small electric cars that you can rent for your child, about 2Euro for about 10 minutes (i think).

so dont miss this.

1 more image

Manasija monastery was very strong defensive fortification because, at the time it had been built, less than 20 years after the Battle of Kosovo, Serbian state had been under the constant threat from the expanding Ottoman Empire. Fortification wall connects eleven towers – eight of them rectangular, two hexagonal, and one, the biggest and the highest called Despot’s Tower – square-shaped. Fortification is very well preserved nowadays.

2 more images

The biggest, the highest and the only completely closed tower of Manasija monastery fortification is Despot's Tower. It is on the north side of the of Monastery complex. Despot's Tower has square-shaped base and it is 34.6 m high.

4 more images

Close to Despotivac there is a famous Manasija monastery with St. Trinity church. Built between 1407 and 1418 by Stefan Lazarević - son of Grand Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović who lost his life on the Kosovo Polje battlefield in 1389. St. Trinity church has numerous frescoes from 15. century and a 19th century wooden iconostas (to our dismal at this time we visited the iconostas was under reconstruction) It is surrounded by a fortress with 11 towers. The church is a fine sample of late resava style. While the basic style is characteristic for Byzantine architecture, it is also adored with numerous details (observe the windows!) characteristic for Central European gothic architecture as well. It is either a very short drive or a long walk from Despotovac city center.

1 more image

So-called "masi kule" ("masi towers") are open extensions of the facade of towers. They are 70-80 cm "out" of tower and 55 to 100 cm high. Althouh "masi towers" existed in 12th century, they are present at Serbian fortifications just from late 14th century. "Masi towers" can be seen on several towers of Manasija monastery defensive fortification.

The Monastery fortress, made up to defend the monastery, especially from the Turks, consists of 11 towers linked with huge walls and once, with trenches. The towers are mostly rectangular, save two hexagonal ones and one square-shaped.