Ćelije Monastery

Ćelije Monastery is situated on the glade above the Gradac river near Valjevo. As the endowment of King Dragutin Nemanjić, Ćelije Monastery was built in the 13th century and reconstructed in the 18th century. Celije Monastery church is dedicated to Saint Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Above the large church of Ćelije Monastery, that features the shape of Basilica, there is the nine-sided dome that was added in 1936. Several times during its turbulent history Celije Monastery was devastated, afterwards rebuilt in its full peace and glory.

In the 19th century, during the reign of Duke Miloš Obrenović, the primary school was established in Monastery of Ćelije which was among the first schools in Serbia. In this school the Bishop Nikolaj (Velimirović) learned “first time letters” and ”kept Ćelije Monastery the whole life in the heart as the first love towards God and the heritage”. In the Ćelije Monastery church yard there is the belfry and some old graves among them, north from the altar is the grave of the Duke Ilija Birčanin. South from the altar of Ćelije Monastery there is the grave of the Archimandrite Ava Justin (Popović) who contributed greatly to the respect of Celije Monastery with his prayers and ascetic life. Nowadays nuns operate the unique icon-painting school in traditional techniques of artistic style also successfully running publishing activities.