View source for Studenica Monastery

{{Other uses|Studenica (disambiguation){{!}}Studenica}}
{{Infobox church
| name             = Studenica Monastery<br>{{lang|sr|{{small|Студеница Манастир<br>Studenica Manastir}}}}
| image            = Manastir Studenica 10.jpg
| fullname         = {{lang|sr|Црква Свете Богородице<br>Crkva Svete Bogorodice}}
| dedication       = [[Holy Virgin]]
| archdiocese      = [[Eparchy of Žiča]]
| country          = [[Serbia]]
| functional status = Public access
| founder          = [[Stefan Nemanja]]
| location         = [[Studenica (river)|Studenica]], [[Kraljevo]], [[Serbia]]
| imagesize        = 300px
| caption          = Exterior view of monastery
| denomination     = [[Serbian Orthodox]]
| architect        = 
| years built      = 1190
| style            = [[Raška architectural school|Raška school]]<br>[[Byzantine architecture|Byzantine]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|43|29|9.996|N|20|32|12.012|E|region:RS-18_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| elevation        = 
| completed date    = 1190
| embedded         = {{Infobox historic site  | embed=yes
| name = 
| locmapin = Serbia
| map_caption = Location of Studenica Monastery within Serbia
| architect =
| architecture =
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
| governing_body = 
| designation1 = WHS
| designation1_offname = Studenica Monastery
| designation1_date = 1986 <small>(10th [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
| designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/389 389]
| designation1_criteria = i, ii, iv, vi
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_free1name = Region
| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe]]
| designation2 = Cultural Heritage of Serbia
| designation2_offname = Манастир Студеница
| designation2_type = [[Monuments of Culture of Exceptional Importance (Serbia)|Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance]]
| designation2_criteria =
| designation2_date = 1979
| delisted2_date =
| designation2_partof =
| designation2_number =
| designation2_free1name =
| designation2_free1value =
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| designation2_free2value =
| designation2_free3name =
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}}
}}
The '''Studenica Monastery''' ({{langx|sr|{{lang|sr-Cyrl|Манастир Студеница}} / {{lang|sr-Latn|Manastir Studenica}}}}, {{IPA|sh|mânastiːr studɛ̌nit͡sa|pron}}) is a 12th-century [[Serbian Orthodox]] [[Serbian Orthodox monasteries|monastery]] situated {{convert|39|km}} southwest of [[Kraljevo]] and {{convert|40.9|km}} east of [[Ivanjica]], in central [[Serbia]].

Studenica was declared a [[Monuments of Culture of Exceptional Importance (Serbia)|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 Site]]s, with the description:<ref name="unesco">{{cite web |title=Studenica Monastery |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/389/ |website=whc.unesco.org |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Foundation}}</ref>

{{blockquote|''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.''}}

==History==
[[Image:Milutinst.jpg|thumb|170px|left|King [[Stefan Milutin|Milutin]] with a model of King's Church, a fresco from King's Church.]] 
The monastery ''Studenica'', dedicated to the Presentation of the [[Blessed Virgin Mary|Holy Virgin]], is the mother-church of all Serbian temples. It was constructed over a quite long period of time. The first stage of works were completed by the spring of 1196, when [[Stefan Nemanja]] abdicated and took monastic vows at the monastery.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bogdanović |first1=Jelena |title=Icons of Space: Advances in Hierotopy |date=2021 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781000410846 |page=247 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWBCEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA247}}</ref>{{sfn|Šakota|1986|p=4-6}} When he later left for [[Hilandar]], his son and successor [[Stefan Nemanjić|Stefan]] took over the care of Studenica.{{sfn|Šakota|1986|p=4-6}} Nemanja died in Hilandar in 1199. Nemanja's third son [[St. Sava|Rastko]] (''Saint Sava''), after reconciling with his brothers Stefan and [[Vukan Nemanjić|Vukan]], moved Nemanja's relics to Studenica.{{sfn|Ćirković|Korać|Babić|1986|p=13, 20}} Under guardianship of Sava, Studenica became the political, cultural and spiritual center of [[medieval Serbia]].

Studenica enjoyed continual care by the members of the [[Nemanjić dynasty]]. [[Stefan Radoslav of Serbia|King Radoslav]] added a splendid [[narthex]] to the church in 1235. [[Stefan Uroš II Milutin of Serbia|King Milutin]] built a small but lovely church dedicated to saints [[Joachim]] and [[Saint Anne|Anna]].{{sfn|Šakota|1986|p=4-6}}

Since the fall of the last of the medieval Serbian states in 1459, the [[Ottoman Turks|Turks]] often assaulted the monastery. The first of the significant restorations of the damage took place in 1569, when the frescoes in the Church of the Virgin were repainted. In the early 17th century, an earthquake and a fire befell the monastery, and historical documents and a significant part of the artistic heritage were destroyed and lost forever.{{sfn|Šakota|1986|p=4-6}}

==Architecture==
The Virgin's Church is a [[dome]]d single-[[nave]] [[basilica]]. At its eastern end there is a three-sided [[apse]], while an extended [[narthex]] faces west; there are also [[Vestibule (Architecture)|vestibule]]s on the north and the south.<ref name="Mileusnić">{{cite book |last1=Mileusnić |first1=Slobodan |title=Medieval monasteries of Serbia |date=1998 |publisher=Pravoslavna reč |isbn=9788676393701 |page=200-204}}</ref> In the 1230s, a large [[narthex|exonarthex]] was added. The [[facade]]s were built with slabs of white marble; inside, the church is revetted with [[tuff]]<!--NOT tufa--> blocks. Externally, the Church harmoniously reconciles two architectural styles, the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] and the [[Byzantine art|Byzantine]]. The blending of these two styles eventually produced a particular style of architecture known as the [[Raška School]].<ref name="Mileusnić" />

Northwest of the Church of the Virgin there is the church of saints Joachim and Anna, known after its founder King Milutin as the King's Church. The church was constructed in 1314, in the form of a compressed cross, with the exterior structure of an octagonal dome. It is built of stone and tuff, with plastered facades.{{sfn|Šakota|1986|p=35}}

The complex of the Studenica monastery includes the Church of [[St. Nicholas]], a small single-nave church frescoed inside with works from the 12th or possibly early 13th centuries. Between the Church of St. Nicholas and the King's Church are the foundations of the church dedicated to [[St. John the Baptist]]. West of the Virgin's Church, there is an old refectory made of rubble, built during the time of [[St. Sava|Archbishop Sava]]. Finally, on the western side of the monastery complex there is a [[bell tower]], erected in the 13th century. There used to be a chapel inside; now, only fragments of frescoes can be seen there. Remains of fresco painting have also been numbered on the external part of the narthex, splendidly representing the [[Nemanjić dynasty]] genealogy. They obviously relate to the frescoes from the Virgin's Church which date back to 1208-1209.<ref name="Mileusnić" />

Northward from the Studenica refectory is the 18th century [[monastic]] residence, which now houses a museum and displays a number of the precious exhibits from the Studenica treasury. However, the frequent wars and plunders have considerably reduced the depository of the Studenica treasury.<ref name="Mileusnić" />

==Art==
[[Image:Studenica raspece.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Crucifixion'', fresco from Church of the Holy Virgin, Monastery of Studenica, 1208. On the left is St. Mary the Holy Virgin.]]
The artistic achievements of the sculpture of Studenica culminate in four [[Portal (architecture)|portal]]s of the Virgin's Church, primarily the west one, inside between the narthex and the exonarthex. On the north wall under the dome, there is a window made of many square panes with medallions carved on a leaden plaque which represent eight fantastic animals - the symbols of the Virgin's virtues.<ref name="Mileusnić" /> There are also two [[Rosette (design)|rosette]]s denoting the [[Divine Eye]]. The masons came to Studenica most probably from the [[Adriatic]] region, perhaps from [[Kotor]], where Nemanja used to have a palace. They left an inscription in [[Serbian alphabet|Serbian lettering]] on the [[Pediment|tympanum]] of the west portal.<ref name="Mileusnić" />

The Virgin's Church was painted in the first decade of the 13th century. The original [[fresco]]es have been partly preserved in the [[altar]] area, under the dome, on the west wall, and in the lower registers of the nave. The most splendid representation is that of the [[Death and resurrection of Jesus|Crucifixion]], painted on blue background in 1209, one of the paramount achievements in [[Serbian art]]. On the south wall there is the "founders' composition" which shows the Virgin taking [[Stefan Nemanja|Nemanja]] (Simon) with the church model to [[Jesus Christ]] as the [[Magistrate]] Impartial. The narthex was painted in 1569. Those frescoes include an exquisite representation of the [[Last Judgment]] in the upper registers and the portrait of Nemanja's wife Ana as the nun [[Anastasia of Serbia|Anastasia]].<ref name="Mileusnić" />
[[File:Studenica monastery (Manastir Studenica) - by Pudelek.jpg|thumb|Panorama picture of the Studenica<br>(Church of the Virgin in the foreground)|300x300px]]
The earliest fresco painting in King's church marks the supreme achievement of [[Byzantine art]] in the region. The frescoes in Radoslav's narthex and the parecclesions originate from the 1230s and display a close relation to the painting style of the main church. The north chapel, dedicated to [[St. Nicholas]], contains a composition of the [[Hetoimasia]] and a cycle dealing with the life of St. Nicholas. In the south chapel, one finds the portraits of Nemanja, [[Stefan the First Crowned]] and King Radoslav with his wife Ana. On the north wall of the narthex, three dignitaries of the [[Serbian Church]] are portrayed - the archbishops Sava, [[Saint Arsenije I Sremac|Arsenije]] and [[Sava II]] (Radoslav's brother).<ref name="Mileusnić" />

==Burials==
*[[Stefan Nemanja]]
*[[Stefan Radoslav of Serbia]]
{{Clear}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Map of the Studenica monastery complex.jpg|Map of the Studenica monastery complex
File:HPIM6942crop1.JPG|[[Monastic cell]]s.
File:Manastir Studenica, Srbija, 018.JPG|Detail of Church Decorations.
File:Богородичина црква у манастиру Студеница.jpg|Church of the Virgin
File:Manastir Studenica 1 BN.JPG|Church of the King
File:Manastir Studenica, Srbija, 041.JPG|[[The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple]], fresco from King's Church, Studenica, 1314.
File:Studenica monastery interior2.jpg|Entry to the monastery with decorative sculptors
File:Stone tower, a part of the Studenica monastery complex.jpg|Stone tower on the monastery grounds
File:Unknown etching moscow 1758 The Serbian Monastery of Studenica IMG 0484 serb museum szentendre.JPG|Etching (1758) in the Serbian Orthodox Museum in [[Szentendre]]
Manastir Studenica, Bogorodičina crkva iz 1186. godine, glavni ulaz.jpg|Monastery entrance
Manastir Studenica, Bogorodičina crkva sa ulaznim portalom.jpg|Monastery
Manastir Studenica, crkva Sv. Nikole iz 13. veka.jpg
Manastir Studenica, freska raspeća Hristovog u naosu crkve.jpg
Manastir Studenica, freskoslikarstvo.jpg
Manastir Studenica, kupola kroz zidine.jpg
Manastir Studenica, naos.jpg
Manastir Studenica, oltarska apsida sa triforom.jpg
Manastir Studenica, originalne freske u crkvi Svetog Joakima i Ane iz 1314. godine.jpg
Manastir Studenica, priprata.jpg
Manastir Studenica, zidine i ulazna kapija.jpg
Manastir Studenica, ukrašen polukrug i mermerna skulptura Presvete Bogorodice iznad zapadnog ulaza.jpg
</gallery>

==Notable people==
*[[Saint Sava]] (1169–1236), first Serbian Archbishop, hegumen
*[[Nikodim II]], hegumen (1439)
*[[Samuilo Jakovljević]] (1760–1825), deacon and hieromonk (1785)
*[[Melentije Nikšić]] (1780–1816), hieromonk (1800)
*[[Vasilije Veselinović]]
*[[Mihailo Jovanović (metropolitan)|Mihailo Jovanović]] (1826–1898), archimandrite (1854)
*[[Mardarije Uskoković]] (1889–1935), deacon (1905–07)

==See also==
{{Commons category|Studenica Monastery}}
*[[Sopoćani]]
*[[Žiča]]
*[[Mileševa]]
*[[Visoki Dečani]]
*[[Gračanica monastery|Gračanica]]
*[[Nemanjić dynasty]]
*[[Spatial Cultural-Historical Units of Great Importance (Serbia)|Spatial Cultural-Historical Units of Great Importance]]
*[[Tourism in Serbia]]
* [[Architecture of Serbia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book |last1=Ćirković |first1=Sima M. |last2=Korać |first2=Vojislav |last3=Babić |first3=Gordana |title=Studenica Monastery |date=1986 |publisher=Jugoslovenska revija}}
* {{Cite book|last=Ćirković|first=Sima|author-link=Sima Ćirković|year=2004|title=The Serbs|location=Malden|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Wc-DWRzoeIC}}
* Pirivatrić, Srđan. "The chronology and the historical context of the construction of the Studenica monastery: Contribution to the study." Zograf 39 (2015): 47-56.
* Živković, Miloš. "Depictions of holy monks in the western bay of the Church of the Virgin in Studenica." Zograf 39 (2015): 65-90.
* Erdeljan, Jelena. "Studenica: An identity in marble." Zograf 35 (2011): 93-100.
* {{cite book |last1=Šakota |first1=Mirjana |title=Studenica Monastery |date=1986 |publisher=Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the Socialist Republic of Serbia}}
* {{Cite book|last=Todić|first=Branislav|title=Serbian Medieval Painting: The Age of King Milutin|year=1999|location=Belgrade|publisher=Draganić|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NqALAQAAMAAJ}}
* {{cite journal|last=Pavlović|first=Leontije|title=Studenički monasi od 1790. do 1850. godine|journal=Историјски часопис|volume=33|year=1987|publisher=Istorijski institut|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/%25D0%2598%25D1%2581%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE%25D1%2580%25D0%25B8%25D1%2598%25D1%2581%25D0%25BA%25D0%25B8_%25D1%2587%25D0%25B0%25D1%2581%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BF%25D0%25B8%25D1%2581_33_1/Rb1qCgAAQBAJ|pp=155–167}}

==External links==
* [https://www.blagofund.org/Archives/Studenica/ Photo collections and virtual tours of Studenica monastery] Blago Fund
*[http://www.maletic.org/serbian-frescoes Fresco from Monastery of Studenica]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/sites/389.htm ''Studenica Monastery'' at UNESCO]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070712175441/http://homepage.mac.com/melissaenderle/Serbia/studenica.html Churches of Serbia: Studenica Monastery]
* [http://www.suc.org/culture/history/Serb_History/Monasteries/Studenica/index.html The Serbian Unity Congress presentation of the Studenica Monastery]
* [http://vimeo.com/25607940 Aerial video of Studenica monastery]

{{World Heritage Sites in Serbia}}
{{Serbian Orthodox monasteries}}
{{National symbols of Serbia}}

{{Cultural Heritage of Exceptional Importance}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:12th-century Serbian Orthodox church buildings]]
[[Category:Christian monasteries established in the 1190s]]
[[Category:Cultural Monuments of Exceptional Importance (Serbia)]]
[[Category:1190 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Serbia]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Serbia]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Serbia]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox church buildings dedicated to Theotokos]]
[[Category:National symbols of Serbia]]
[[Category:Monasteries of the Eparchy of Žiča]]