detail from: KRK Art dizajn

MONASTERIES OF FRUSKA GORA

SIMO JELAČA, Ph.D.

The Vojvodina mountain of Fruška Gora holds a great treasure, its own monasteries of Fruška Gora. There are 17 of them, such a remarkable number, in such a small area. Therefore, Fruška Gora can be called the “Holy Mountain of Fruška Gora”. And let’s list them all right away: Beočin, Bešenovo, Velika Remeta, Vrdnik, Grgeteg, Divša, Jazak, Krušedol, Kuveždin, Mala Remeta, Novo Hopovo, Petkovica, Privina Glava, Rakovac, Staro Hopovo, Fenek and Šišatovac.

According to the book by Branka Kulić and Nedeljka Srećkov, data on these monasteries was collected and kept by the Provincial Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Vojvodina, Novi Sad. In the 12th century, King Dragutin is credited with the founding of the monasteries of Bešenovo, Velika and Mala Remeta, and at the end of the 13th century, Prince Lazar is credited with the founding of Vrdnik-Ravanica, and during the 15th century, the founding of several monasteries is attributed to the name of Branković. The Grgeteg Monastery is attributed to Despot Grgur and his son Zmaj the Fiery Wolf in 1471. Stari Jazak is attributed to Despot Jovan Branković, and Despot Đurđe Branković founded Stari and Novo Hopovo, Fenek and Krušedol. All of these monasteries are attributed to Serbian rulers as posthumous endowments. The monasteries of Krušedol, Stari Jazak, Rakovac and Novo Hopovo are first mentioned in 1541, and Beočin in 1578.

Over the course of five centuries, these monasteries were destroyed and repaired, and suffered most during World War II. Libraries and icons were destroyed, valuable objects and art were looted, all with the intention of completely destroying traces of the spirituality, art and culture of Orthodoxy. While restoring the monasteries, in addition to structural repairs, frescoes were preserved, churches and dormitories were renovated. The Fruška Gora monasteries were declared a cultural asset of exceptional importance.

Architecture

It has been confirmed that Moravian architecture was used in the Fruška Gora monasteries. This is the direction of development of Serbian church architecture between the 15th and 20th centuries in the Danube region. This was confirmed by Milan Kašanin, Veljko Petrović and Dejan Medaković. Two stylistic periods have been established, traditional-Byzantine, at the end of the 15th and during the 16th century, and Baroque, during the 18th century. Moravian architecture was used in the churches of Krušedol, Rakovac, Novo Hopovo and Petkovica. The churches of the Velika Remete and Bešenevo monasteries are classified in the second group. The influence of traditional architecture is established in the churches of Mala Remete, Jasko, Privina gleva, Stari Hopovo and Šišatovac. These were understood as churches of magnificent architecture, oriented towards Western Europe. Baroque was present until the arrival of the Turks and until the end of the 18th century. The Europeanization of Serbian traditional art became the main direction of further architecture and painting. The center of the Fruška Gora monasteries was moved to Sremski Karlovci, which became a spiritual and cultural center. During the 19th century, the monasteries were mostly repaired, with modernization being held back.

Paintings

The painting of the Fruška Gora monasteries, on the walls of monastery temples and iconostases, consists of frescoes, and oil wall paintings and icons were made on wood, plaster and canvas. According to the time of the emergence of Serbian sacral painting, from the 16th to the 20th century, the oldest frescoes are in Krušedol, Rakovac, Petkovica and Novi Hopovo, created between the mid-16th and mid-17th centuries. The icons of the Virgin Mary and Christ in Krušedol, Novi Hopovo and Privina glavi, from 1743, as well as in Šišatovac from 1746, have been preserved. The significant period from late Byzantine to Baroque painting in Serbian art was filled mainly with paintings for Krušedol. After Krušedol, a new concept of wall decoration was adopted, an example of the composition of the Ascension of Christ in the Beočin church in 1777. New iconostases were received by churches in Beočin, Mala Remeta, Rakovac, Jazko, Novi Hopovo, Kuveždin, Grgetko, Pivina glavi, Stari Hopovo and Šišatovac. Serbian religious painting adopted European achievements in the 19th century. Examples of this are Kuveždin and Vrdnik. The painters of these iconostases studied at the Vienna Academy. They also painted an iconostasis from the life of Saint Sava and were considered leading painters. The Grget iconostasis was painted by Uroš Predić in 1900-1902.

BEOČIN

The Beočin Monastery is dedicated to the Ascension of Christ. The complex consists of a church and a konak. The first written trace was recorded in the Turkish cadastre (1566-1567). With the approval of Arsenije Čarnojević, the monastery was settled by monks from Rača na Drina. They renovated it (1683-1695). The first church was built in 1708, and a new one in 1732. The konak was built (1728-1741), and completed in 1765. The icon painting lasted from 1756 to 1766, and the wall paintings were made in 1777. The Beočin Monastery is a rare one that was not destroyed in World War II, but the books, clothing and embroidery were stolen and taken to Zagreb.

BEŠENOVO

The church of the Bešenovo Monastery is dedicated to the Holy Archangels. The monastery was destroyed in World War II and was not rebuilt. According to tradition, it was founded by King Dragutin at the end of the 13th century. The information is found in the Turkish census from 1546. There are Russian records about the monastery from 1627. The iconostasis was replaced in 1909, and the monastery was demolished in World War II. Today, the icons from the Bešenovac church are kept in Sremska Mitrovica. Stevan Aleksić painted the icon ‘‘Burning the relics of Saint Sava’’, oil on canvas, 1909. This painting was taken to Vukovar to the Bauer collection.

VELIKA REMETA

The church of the Velika Remeta monastery is dedicated to St. Demetrius. The monastery is located on the southern slopes of Fruška Gora, near the Šelovrenac stream. The konaci close the church on all sides. According to tradition, this monastery was also founded by King Dragutin at the end of the 13th century. It was first mentioned under the name Velika Remeta in 1562. The Turks burned the monastery in 1716, and the monastery was granted an imperial privilege in 1722, when its renovation began. In 1739, the monks of Rakovica donated four icons to Velika Remeta (St. Nicholas, St. John, the Virgin Mary with Christ, and the Three Hierarchs), which were painted by Russian icon painters in 1687. The dormitories next to the church were built in 1765, and the church was renovated again in 1850. Then the iconostasis was built and the third renovation (1898-1901) took place. During World War II, the iconostasis was burned, some objects were stolen, the dormitories were damaged, and everything was renovated again in 1951 and 1982.

VRDNIK-RAVANICA

The church of the Vrdnik-Ravanica monastery is dedicated to the feast of the Ascension of Christ. The monastery was built on the southern slopes of Fruška Gora, in the settlement of Vrdnik itself. Legend associates the founding of this monastery with a certain Metropolitan of Srem, Seraphim, in 1521. The monastery is first mentioned in the Turkish census (1566-1567), as the monastery of St. John. The monastery is also mentioned in connection with the return of monks who fled during the Great Migration of Serbs. These monks came from Szentendre in 1697 and brought with them the relics of the Serbian prince Lazar. Since then, the monastery has been called Ravanica. The treasury from Ravanica was also brought from Serbia. The Battle of Kosovo is painted on the wall. In 1801, construction began on a new church, built only by Serbs, for the relics of prince Lazar. Construction lasted until 1813, and after that the iconostasis was built in 1854. From 1716 the relics of Prince Lazar were kept in Futog, until the departure of the Turks from Srem. Then the relics were temporarily transferred to Klenak, and during the Second World War they were kept in Belgrade, until 1990. The murals in the Ravanic church were painted by Dimitrije Avramović, and the following were painted: Simeon Nemanja, King Milutin and Stefan Dečanski. On the iconostasis there are icons painted over ten years.

GRGETEG

The church of the Grgeteg monastery is dedicated to St. Nicholas. The monastery was built on the southern slope of Fruška Gora, along the Kalinjak stream, next to the settlement of Grgeteg. The monastery has a church, residences and farm buildings. This monastery is associated with the despot Branković. It is mentioned that it was built by the Dragon Fiery Wolf, and the foundation is attributed to Grgur Branković and the year of construction is 1471. During the Turkish rule of Srem (1521-1717), they recorded it in their cadastres. The monastery was built in the Baroque style, and the church was built between 1766 and 1771, the iconostasis (1774-1775) and the paintings on the iconostasis (1901-1902) were made by Uroš Predić. During the Second World War, the monastery was partially damaged, which was restored (1953-1964). A new church was built (1766-1771) in the Baroque style, with the Virgin Mary and Christ above the Holy Trinity. After the destruction in the Second World War, only the icon of the ‘’Last Supper’’ remained.

DIVŠA

The church of the Divša monastery is dedicated to St. Nicholas. The monastery was built in a small valley surrounded by a forest, near the village of Vizić. According to legend, the Divša monastery was founded by Jovan Branković at the end of the 15th century. The monastery was recorded by the Turks as Divša (1566-1567), and the monastery was repaired several times. Today, eleven icons from this monastery are kept in Sremska Mitrovica, they are: The Annunciation, The Presentation of the Mother of God, The Birth of Christ, The Baptism of Christ, The Meeting, The Flowers, The Infidelity of Thomas, The Transfiguration of Christ, The Descent of the Holy Spirit and The Transfiguration of Christ.

JAZAK

The monastery church is dedicated to the feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The monastery was built on the southern slope of Fruška Gora, in a place called Gradac. There are lodgings next to the church. The first written document about the Jazak monastery dates back to 1522. The relics of Emperor Uroš were kept in Jazak. When the new church was built, the relics of Emperor Uroš were transferred to it, and Old Jazak was converted into a women's monastery. By the decree on the reduction of the monastery, Maria Theresa from 1773, the nuns were displaced, and the monastery was left to the ravages of time until it completely fell into disrepair. The new church was built over 22 years (1736-1758). Jazak was last repaired in 1945, and an iconostasis was built, with wall decorations and paintings of St. Simeon, St. Sava, St. Angelina and St. Paraskeva.

KRUŠEDOL

Krušedol Monastery is located on the southern side of Fruška Gora, near the village of Krušedol, with a church, a monastery and a park. The church is dedicated to the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Krušedol Monastery is an endowment of Despot Maksim Branković, built (1509-1516). Since the church is a family mausoleum, all the Brankovićs are buried there. The Turks burned the church during their retreat, ahead of Eugene of Savoy, in 1716, and all the relics were cut down. The Krušedol church was painted by Greeks from Mount Athos. During the Migration of the Serbs in 1690, the monks retreated to Szentendre, so Krušedol remained deserted. They returned (1697-1698), and in 1706 they buried the relics of Patriarch Arsenij Čarnojević III in the Krušedol Monastery. The monastery was renovated in the Baroque style, and the painting took several years. The iconostasis was formed over four centuries (16th to 19th centuries). King Milan Obrenović and Princess Ljubica were buried in that church. During World War II, the monastery was not destroyed, but it was looted. Fortunately, after the war, everything was returned to the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade. Of the paintings in the monastery, there are paintings by Lazar Hrebeljanović and the Branković family, a painting of St. Sava Nemanjić and a painting of the Virgin Mary with Christ.

KUVEŽDIN

The church of the Kuveždin monastery is dedicated to St. Sava. Kuveždin was built in the southwestern part of Fruška Gora, in the valley of the Jaroš stream, next to the village of Divoš. It had a church and part of a dormitory until World War II. There is a record that the monasteries of Kuveždin and Šišatovac were founded by the Serbian duke despot Stefan Štiljanović in 1520. The only reliable documents are the Turkish cadastral documents (1566-1567), which state that these are the monasteries of St. Sava and Kuveždin. The monastery was looted in 1914 and mined in 1944. 20 icons were saved thanks to the nun Paraskeva. The monastery was partially restored (1973-1975). Among the icons is the icon of St. Sava and St. John.

MALA REMETA

The monastery church of Mala Remeta is dedicated to the feast of the Protection of the Virgin Mary, and is located in the southern part of Fruška Gora, in the stream valley near the village of Mala Remeta. There is only one wing of the konak next to the church. There is no reliable information about its construction, except for the legend that indicates a connection with King Dragutin, as the founder. The earliest information is recorded in Turkish documents from 1546, which are kept until 1697, when this monastery was separated from the monasteries of Šišatovac and Velika Remeta, according to the permission of Patriarch Arsenij III.

The construction of the new church began in 1739, and the konak in 1758. Two renovations are mentioned, in 1879 and (1909-1910). The church of Mala Remete was not destroyed during World War II, but its dormitory was burned down in 1942. The painting continued (1909-1910). A painting of St. Sava was made, as well as the figures of Emperor Lazar and Emperor Uroš.

NOVO HOPOVO

The church of Novi Hopovo is dedicated to St. Nicholas. The monastery was built on a gentle slope of the southern branches of Fruška Gora, near Irig. Around the monastery is a three-wing dormitory and farm buildings. According to legend, the monastery is an endowment of Despot Maksim Branković. The first information was preserved in Turkish documents from 1546. Dositej Obradović lived in this monastery. The icons were painted by Teodor Kracun in 1776. The monastery was looted and burned down during World War II. The restoration was carried out by the Institute for Culture of Vojvodina and Matica Srpska. The painting has similarities with the painting in the monasteries on Mount Athos. The iconostasis has 61 paintings, made in 1776.

PETKOVICA

The church of the Petkovica monastery is dedicated to St. Petka. The monastery is located in the southwest of Fruška Gora, along the Remet stream, between the villages of Divosh and Šishatovci. There is also a new konak next to the church. According to legend, Petkovica was built in the first quarter of the 16th century. The first written information about the monastery was found in Turkish documents (1566-1567). By order of Arsenije Čarnojević, the monastery was renovated at the end of the 17th century. The iconostasis was made in 1795, and was destroyed in World War II. The monastery was renovated (1950-1952), and the konak in 1991.

PRIVINA GLAVA

The church of the Privina Glava monastery is dedicated to the Council of St. Archistratiga. It was built on the westernmost part of Fruška Gora, near Berkasovo. Next to the church are two wings of the monastery and economic buildings. According to legend, the monastery was founded in the 17th century. It is associated with the name of Jovan Branković and his brother. It was built in 1496. The first data is contained in Turkish cadastres (1566-1567). The iconostasis and painting of the monastery were completed in 1786. The monastery was looted in 1941, and the monks were expelled from it. The works of art were taken to Zagreb. After the war, fortunately, they were returned to Belgrade. The wall paintings were painted in 1791, and the iconostasis in 1786.

RAKOVAC

The Rakovac church is dedicated to St. Kuzman and St. Damian. The monastery was built on the northern slopes of Fruška Gora, along the Rakovac stream. Next to the church is a three-story konak and an economic building. Rakovac is the endowment of a certain Raka, who, according to legend, built the monastery on the spot where he killed a deer in 1498. The monastery is reliably mentioned in Turkish cadastres in 1546. The Turks burned both the church and konak in 1678, and (1692-1693) it was restored. More extensive restorations were carried out after the departure of the Turks, in 1735. During World War II, the monastery was looted. Part of the archives was taken away in 1843, and the church was mined. It was restored in 1953.

STARO HOPOVO

The monastery is located in the eastern part of Fruška Gora, about 2 km from Novi Hopovo. The church is dedicated to St. Panteleimon, and only the church remains. This monastery is also attributed to Đorđe Branković, as are Novo Hopovo and Fenek. Reliable information comes from Turkish documents. The old church was destroyed in an earthquake, and the new one was built in 1752. The iconostasis was built (1792-1793), and the dormitory was burned down in World War II. The monastery is uninhabited and exposed to the elements.

FENEK

The Fenek church is dedicated to the Venerable Martyr Paraskeva. The monastery is located in the plains of Srem, near Zemun. There is a dormitory and a chapel next to the church. After the fall of Serbia to the Turks in 1459, nobles gathered in Fenek. Fenek is also attributed to the Branković family, Stefan and Angelina. Karađorđe stayed in Fenek, Prince Aleksa Nenadović and the Austrian Emperor Joseph met in Fenek in 1788.

ŠIŠATOVAC

Šišatovac is on the southern slopes of Fruška Gora, with a church dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary, which is attributed to the abbot Žičo Teofil. At the beginning of the 18th century, the monastery was rich, so they built a new church in 1778. It was looted in World War II, and the library and archive were destroyed. In that church are the relics of St. Stefan Štiljanović. Today, there is a church and a guest house next to the monastery. The Turks ran this monastery under the name Remete.

Note:

All information about the Fruška Gora monasteries, including the books mentioned above, can also be found on the Internet, with countless beautiful pictures.

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