Monastery Blagoveštenje Gornjačko

The Blagoveštenje or Annunciation Monastery is located in Gornjak Gorge, just along the Petrovac-Žagubica motorway.

The ruins are hard to miss and are easily recognizable as the monastery was constructed into the face of a cliff. The monastery dates back to the 14th century and is comprised of three different levels. It was also known as one of the most prominent monasteries in the region.

The monastery was constructed under the orders of Despot Stefan Lazarević, a medieval Serbian ruler who founded several sacred locations, including the famous fortified monastery of Manasija. The Monastery Blagoveštenje was a difficult place to reach as it was constructed around 65 feet (20 meters) above the Mlava river and into a cliff. Every time the river levels rose, all connections to the monastery were broken. It was also extremely difficult to reach even in the best of conditions due to the treacherous pathways leading to the monastery.  

During the Middle Ages, the monastery was frequented by numerous monks from across the country. It was an important site for illuminating holy manuscripts and books. It also housed several other manuscripts for visiting monks to study. The monastery was destroyed during the centuries after the Ottomans took control of the country. Today, only the monastery’s walls remain standing as a reminder of this once significant spiritual and historical landmark.