MONASTERY OF SOKOLICA (MANASTIRI I SOKOLICËS - MANASTIR SOKOLICA)

Harboring a very rare 14th century statue, this Serbian Orthodox monastery is dedicated to the maforii of the Mother of God (Bogorodičinom Pokrovu in Serbian), that is, to the raspberry veil worn by Mary and considered one of the main relics of Christianity. Founded at the end of the 14th century, the complex takes its name from the Sokolica hill at the foot of which it is located.

Complex. Apart from the small catholicon (main church), most of the current buildings were erected in the 19th century or during the last major renovation phase in 1996. The monastery was spared from the Kosovo war. Today it is home to a small community of nuns who are best known for their painting skills, particularly in the creation or restoration of frescoes.

Frescoes and drawings. The tiny Catholic retains original 14th century paintings, including a fresco of Christ Pantocrator ("Almighty") on the vault, a large scene of the Dormition of the Mother of God above the entrance and a fresco of the divine liturgy of the Fathers of the Church in the apse. On the outside walls, especially to the north, note the naive inscriptions and drawings (characters and animals) carved in stone in the 14th century.

Statue. The church contains the so-called statue of the "Mother of God of Sokolica". This 1 m high marble sculpture dates from 1312-1316 and comes from the Banjska Monastery. It was reportedly transferred here at the beginning of the 15th century to escape possible looting by bandits or Ottoman soldiers. The work represents Mary carrying Christ as a child. Statues as objects of devotion are very rare in Orthodox art and it was probably influenced by the Latins after the capture of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204. Many supposed miracles are attributed to the sculpture and it is venerated by many inhabitants of the region, all religions combined.