Манастир Светих Архангела

The Monastery of the Holy Archangels stands near Prizren, Kosovo, on a small plateau in the Prizren Bistrica canyon. The river surrounds the site on three sides, while steep rocks and the Višegrad citadel frame the fourth. Founded by Emperor Stefan Dušan between 1343 and 1352, the Serbian Orthodox complex occupies about 6,500 square metres. An earlier church and the Višegrad fortress complex already occupied this ground before construction began.

Two churches anchor the ruins: the larger church honoured the Holy Archangels, while the smaller one served Saint Nicholas. Dušan intended the main church as his burial place, and his tomb occupied its southwestern section after his death in 1355. The Rascian architectural style dominates both churches, with details that also suggest Vardar influences. The monastery once managed land, vineyards, an iron mine, 93 villages, and seven churches. Its hospital treated sick people, while merchants and clergy found refuge there during the Serbian Empire’s decline.

Ottoman forces looted and destroyed the complex after 1455, and builders later reused its stone for Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren. Archaeologists uncovered church remains, dormitory walls, mosaics, and bones believed to belong to Dušan during excavations beginning in 1927.