Saint Sava Pilgrimage

Saint Sava Orthodox Cathedral, Zica Monastery, Studenica Monastery, Rudno Village, Gradac Monastery, Đurđevi Stupovi – Saint George Monastery, Stari Ras – Old Ras, Mileševa Monastery, Kamena Gora Village, Zlatar Lake, Rudnik Mountain, Oplenac Royal Mausoleum and Saint George Church..

Day 1
Coach departure from Novi Sad at 7a.m and drive by highway to Belgrade. Visit to St. Sava Orthodox Cathedral, the second largest Orthodox Church in the world, built on the plateau where the holy relics of St.Sava were burnt by the Ottomans in 1594. Drive along highway with short brake for rest. Rustic lunch along the Gruza Lake. Drive to Kraljevo and tour of Zica Monastery, joint endowment of King Stefan the First-crowned and his brother St. Sava, the seat of the Serbian autonomous Achbishopric built in 1218. Drive along the so-called Kings Valley or the “Lilacs Valley” of the Ibar River to Studenica Monastery, the endowment of King Stefan Nemanya. Accommodation in the Monastery dormitory, dinner, overnight /special regime of behavior/.

Day 2
After breakfast sightseeing of Studenica Monastery Complex /Church of the Virgin Mary, The King’s Church, the treasury/ and 2 hours walk to the St.Sava ascetic hermitage. Acquaintance with orthodox spirituality and true accomplishments in peaceful mind in the heart of beautiful intact nature. Drive across the mountain range to Rudno village, located at the plateau where the ancient road built during the rule of Nemanya Dynasty used to connect the holy temples of Studenica and Gradac Monastery. Homemade lunch in rural household of Rudno village. Drive to Gradac Monastery and sightseeing of the Queen’s Helen of Anjou, the wife of King Uros I endowment. Drive through Raska to Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery, dominating from the hill over Novi Pazar, the place where the heart of the Serbian medieval state was maintened between 11th and 14th century. Tour of the ecclesiastical complex and presentation of the St.Sava life and his holy Orthodoxy, who was born in nearby village Dezeva, in the middle of the surrounding Dezevska valley. Continue to the ruins of Old Ras town, which was the most prominent stronghold on the eastern border of Serbian lands in the early Middle ages and the Royal family Residence. Drive to Golija Mountain and the Odvracenica village and hotel accommodation. Dinner by fire place and music entertainment. Overnight.

Day 3
After breakfast drive to Mileseva Monastery, the endowment of grand-son of King Stefan Nemanya from 1236. Sightseeing of the ecclesiastical place where the holy relics of St.Sava rested until 1594. when they were burned by the Ottomans and the world famous fresco painting of The White Angel. Lunch and brake on Zlatar Lake and Uvac canyon with boat ride while enjoying in the magnificent scenery. Drive to Kamena Gora village, at the altitude of more than 1300 meters from where breathtaking panorama to the scenic mountain peaks spreads /Zlatar, Zlatibor, Savin kuk Mountains…/ Accommodation in rural households and traditional dinner by hospitable highlanders. Folklore entertainment. Overnight.

Day 4
After early breakfast coach drive through Uzice, Cacak and Ovcar-kablar gorge to Rudnik Mountain. Rustic lunch. Drive to Topola and Oplenac and visit to the Royal Mausoleum and the Church of St George featuring wonderful mosaics . Drive to Beograd and Novi Sad. Late arrival and end of program.

Price : 340 EUR Minimum 12 participants

Included: luxurious coach transportation, full-board services with meals in traditional style and stay either in monastery dormitory or the home stays with shared usage of bathrooms or the 3 stars hotel, visits and sightseeing of all Monasteries and Churches as mentioned, entertainment and adventure activities, boat ride, entrance fees, professional guidance,

Application deadline: 30 days prior departure