Marko's Monastery

Marko's Monastery (Macedonian and Serbian: Марков Манастир) is a monastery located in the village of Markova Sušica, 18 kilometres (11 mi) from central Skopje in North Macedonia. The monastery bears the name of Serbian Prince Marko who reigned at the time of its completion.[1][2] Marko's Monastery has been active since its establishment.[3]

Marko's Monastery
Church of Saint Demetrius at Marko's Monastery
Monastery information
OrderMacedonian Orthodox
Established1346
DioceseDiocese of Skopje
Controlled churchesChurch of Saint Demetrius
People
Founder(s)Vukašin Mrnjavčević (ktitor), Prince Marko
Site
LocationMarkova Sušica, Studeničani Municipality
Coordinates41°53′57″N 21°24′34″E
Public accessyes

Description

Marko's Monastery contains a single cross-shaped church dedicated to Saint Demetrius. The monastery grounds also consist of lodgings, a belfry, a well, warehouses, a bakery, and a mill.[4] The monastery still operates a special oven used to make rakija.[5]

Fresco depicting Saint Demetrius

The church has a narthex, a central dome and a smaller dome on the western side.[1] It was built of bricks and stone. The iconstasis is made of stone pillars.[4]

The frescoes inside the church were done by a number of painters from the region.[1] The Holy Mother of God, the twelve great feasts, Jesus Christ, and Saint Nicholas are some of the subjects depicted in the frescoes.[4]

History
Fresco depicting King Marko

Construction of the Church of Saint Demetrius began under King Vukašin in 1346.[2] The church, including the interior paintings, were completed 30 years later. Before Ottoman rule, the monastery had a school and many monks and priests would write manuscripts.[5]

In 1392, Skopje fell under Ottoman rule, which led to the destruction of many churches and monasteries in the area. Marko's Monastery, however, suffered almost no damage.[4] During the Ottoman era, in 1467/8 the monastery is recorded as having 20 monks.[3] Kiril Pejčinović was the hegumen of Marko's Monastery from 1801 to 1818.[6]

In 1830, Ottoman aristocrat Hamzi Paşa added an exonarthex to the church.[3]

References
  1. "Skopje Monasteries". British Council Bulgaria. Association for Cultural Tourism. 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Macedonia National Tourism Portal". Macedonia National Tourism Portal. 2010. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. "Marko's Monastery - the region of Skopje". Soros. 2010. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  4. "Marko's monastery near Skopje". GoMacedonia. 2010. Archived from the original on July 6, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  5. "Macedonia National Tourism Portal". Macedonia National Tourism Portal. 2010. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  6. "Skopje Area". Visit Macedonia. 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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