MONASTÈRE DE SOKOLICA

Founded in the late 14th century, this Serbian Orthodox monastery (Манастир Соколица/Manastir Sokolica, Manastiri i Sokolicës) takes its name from the Sokolica hill at the foot of which it sits. Housing a very rare statue, the complex is dedicated to the maforii of the Mother of God(Bogorodičinom Pokrovu), the raspberry-colored veil worn by Mary and considered one of the main Christian relics. The monastery hosts a small community of nuns renowned for creating or repairing frescoes. Most of the buildings were erected in the 19th century or during the last major renovation phase in 1996. However, the small 14th-century catholicon (main church) retains some originals, including that of Christ Pantocrator on the vault, a large scene of the dormition of the Mother of God above the entrance, and a representation of the Divine Liturgy of the Fathers of the Church in the apse. The church also contains the statue of the "Mother of God of Sokolica". This 1 m high marble sculpture dates from the years 1312-1316 and comes from the Banjska Monastery. The work represents Mary carrying the Christ child. Statues as sacred objects are very rare in Orthodox art. Many supposed miracles are attributed to the sculpture and it is venerated by many locals, including Muslims. On the outer walls of the church, especially on the north side, note the naive inscriptions and drawings (figures and animals) carved in the 14th century.