Praskvica monastery

The monastery with such a romantic name is located in the (Slavic title) Pržno mountains, in the region of the Montenegrin village of Čelobrdo.

From the mountain on which the monastery is located, you can see the island-hotel of St. Stephen (Sveti Stefan) in all its beauty.

It is convenient to get from Budva along the E65 / E80 highway.

Centuries old, the history of the monastery is actually long. The monastery with a romantic name is located in the Pržno mountains, in the region of the Montenegrin village of Čelobrdo.


The monastery received such a pleasant name due to a natural phenomenon - the waters in a stream nearby smell of peaches (praskva - peach), so the Montenegrins have consolidated this unique phenomenon in the name of the monastery.

From the mountain on which the monastery is located, you can see the island-hotel of Sveti Stefan in all its glory. It is convenient to get from Budva along the E65 / E80 highway.

The eventful centuries-old history of the monastery captivates visitors. The political center in the past - in antiquity, one of the ancient Montenegrin tribes Pashtrovici lived and ruled in this area - and now every guest of Montenegro can get acquainted and touch the monument of centuries-old history in the monastery museum - sit at a round stone table called a bankada (Bankada) at which, according to legend, the heads of this clan sat and decided the fate of the state.

Also, for a long time, there was a school at the monastery in which the children of the Pashtrovichs studied - the territory and buildings of the complex played both a cultural and a secular role.

According to legend, the Praskvitsa monastery was founded during the Zeta state under the leadership of Stefan Vojislav at the beginning of the 10th century. Nowadays it is a functioning monastery.

An interesting fact: a large number of churches were built on the territory of Pashtrovichi. Currently, in this area you can visit 6 Orthodox monasteries: Voynichi, Gradishte, Dulevo, Rezhevichi and Rustovo. All these places are interesting in their own way.

The Praskvitsa monastery complex includes 5 churches: on the monastery territory these are: the completely reconstructed Church of the Holy Trinity of the 17th century and the Church of St. Nicholas from the beginning of the 15th century. In the first church, you can admire the gilded iconostasis by Dmitry Daskal and wonderful old frescoes. The main temple of the Praskvitsa monastery complex - the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - attracts with wonderful frescoes by the Greek icon painter Nikola Aspiot.

Historical background: During the Middle Ages, King Zeta Balsha III donated funds for the construction of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The other 3 churches are located on the island of St. Stephen: St. Stephen, the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky and the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

The monastery contains the golden cross of the Serbian king Stefan Urosh Dusan, and a gift from Emperor Paul I - a handwritten Gospel of the 16th century in a silver setting, old weapons and utensils, and the library contains about 5,000 books.

There is a souvenir shop on site.

The 1979 earthquake caused damage to the complex, as well as many monuments in Montenegro.

Also, near the village of Chelobrdo, not far from the Praskvitsa monastery in the mountains, there is a 15th century Rustovo monastery. This active nunnery does not go unnoticed by tourists. Rustovo offers a breathtaking view of the endless Adriatic Sea. To the monastery, up from Stephen's Island, you can climb the stone steps made by the legendary Russian monk Yegor Stroganov, who came to the monastery in the 18th century and took tonsure here - he took a vow of silence because of his personal tragedy that destroyed his life.

The locals remember the monk who brought benefit to the people and installed a memorial plaque in his honor. The monastery of Rustovo is known for the fact that about 1400 members of the Pashtrovich clan were buried on its territory in the 14th century, who did not want to become dependent on King Ludwig of Hungary in the second half of the 14th century and who died as martyrs. Here, later, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected.

Also on the territory there is a church in memory of the royal Romanov family. Natural oils and teas, medicinal ointments made from plants growing on Pashtrovichka Mountain can become a useful and pleasant souvenir.

The Reževići Monastery from Budva, as well as most of the interesting places on the Budva coast, can be reached along the Jadran highway E65 / E80 - this is the Budva-Bar highway - moving from Petrovac towards Budva, then turning left after the Rezevici signpost. Or walk from Petrovac (4 km) along a picturesque road through the mountains.

Walking distance from the monastery near Perazici Do and the beach at this settlement in a secluded bay. From the pier on the beach, you can take a boat trip by boat, kayak or catamaran.

The current 13th century Rezevici Monastery stands at the foot of the Voštanica Mountain - and near the monastery there is an observation deck over the sea with excellent views. A small gift shop sells monastery wines or bottled rakia. Here, in honor of the first Serbian king from the Nemanich dynasty, Stefan the First Crowned, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin and the Church of the Holy Trinity with fresco paintings and a high bell tower were built.

Rezevici is included in the list of objects of history and culture protected by UNESCO.