Rakovica Monastery Belgrade
Spiritual healing
From the first day I started writing for Spotted by Locals I wanted to write about Rakovica Monastery (but didn’t). Why? Because it is a suburb of Belgrade, because religion is not popular among young people, because its theme is too serious, because I wasn't courageous enough. But let’s ask ourselves, no matter our age:
Are all of us 100% certain that we do not believe in Good? Is western-type hedonism the only true philosophy of life? Shouldn't we all have a spiritual and a mental side of our personality?
If the Temples of Kyoto see over 50 millions people yearly (and hopefully I will be one of them in the year to come), I strongly believe that our Rakovica Monastery, as one of Belgrade's three monasteries, has a lot to offer our visitors.
A few facts about the monastery: it was built during the rule of the famous Duke (Prince) Lazar Hrebeljanović in the 14th century. The late head of our Orthodox Church, Patriarch Pavle, is buried in Rakovca Monastery -- it was his last wish. He was a great man, very humble and intelligent and he loved people as much as he loved God.
This is a woman’s monastery and there is a shop where you can buy beads, small icons and candles for your beloved ones, alive & dead. It has a beautiful small church with relatively new fresco paintings. Sitting on the bench in the small but very nice yard, you'll find here peace and the strength to go on.
About this spot
Patrijarha Dimitrija 34
- 09:00 - 17:00 daily
RSD
free
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