Monastery of Ljubostinja

The Monastery of Ljubostinja , in Serb Cyrillic МанастирЉубостиња, is an orthodoxe monastery located close to Trstenik in Serbia.

Ljubostinja means " love of the life to the désert".

History

The Monastery was founded in 1388 by the prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, right before the Bataille of Kosovo Polje. According to the legend, it was built with the site even where prince Lazar had met for the first time the Princesse Milica, which was going to become his wife.

During the battle, the prince was killed and Milica, entered the orders, was withdrawn in Ljubostinja with the widows of the Serb soldiers died in the combat. She made of it her last residence and the monastery still shelters its tomb.

The first Serb poetess, Jefimija (Jelena), partner of Milica, also finishes its days there (after 1405). She had made l'" there; Ode with prince Lazar" , woven in silk. The work from now on is preserved at Saint-Pétersbourg.

At the 17th century, Ljubostinja was an arts center where the books were copied and where extremely famous miniatures were painted.

The church and its frescos

The church is dedicated to Dormition of the Marie Blessed Virgin. By its its dome and outline drawing of clover resting on four pillars, it is typical school of Morava. External decoration is very rich, with rosettes which constitute a genuine stone lace.

Inside, some frescos of origin survived the risks of the history. Represented the prophets of the Old Testament there are found.

In 1403, the Milica princess invited the painter Makarije de Zrze to embellish the building. The family of prince Lazar is represented on the Western wall of the Narthex. One can see the prince and Milica there, with the despot Stefan and his Vuk brother. In the nave, an Annunciation is painted. One also finds there scenes representing the miracles of Christ.

Internal bond

List of the Serb orthodoxe monasteries

External bond

Article on the Monastery of Ljubostinja

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