Eastern Serbia Monasteries and Resava Cave Tour from Belgrade
Overview
A whole day, complete Eastern Serbia experience. Get to know everything about the area on this 9-hours tour.
With live, professional guiding, in a small group and in an air-conditioned vehicle, you will visit famous Ravanica and Manasija orthodox monasteries, an 80 million years old Resava Cave, and you will learn about proud history of Serbia during XIV and XV century.
You will have the chance to fell the unique atmosphere of Eastern Serbia, and to taste traditional products of the area.
With live, professional guiding, in a small group and in an air-conditioned vehicle, you will visit famous Ravanica and Manasija orthodox monasteries, an 80 million years old Resava Cave, and you will learn about proud history of Serbia during XIV and XV century.
You will have the chance to fell the unique atmosphere of Eastern Serbia, and to taste traditional products of the area.
Inclusions
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan or private car
- Professional guide
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Belgrade, Belgrade
Your tour starts at your accommodation, and we head towards Pomoravlje District, known as the center of the last Serbian Medieval Kingdom, where monasteries still keep the enormous cultural and historical legacy and wealth.
Stop At: Ravanica Monastery, Village Senja near Town of Cuprija, Cuprija 35233 Serbia
Our first stop is Ravanica monastery. It was the endowment of Prince Lazar built during the period between 1375 and 1377, with its frescoes painted in the years preceding the Battle of Kosovo. Due to its architectural and artistic features, the Ravanica church can be called the birthplace of the new creative movement called the Morava school. The church is original in its architectural style, which is a blend of the Mount Athos tradition of the trefoil base and the cross-in-square five-domed model which became standard in the time of King Milutin.
Our guide will give you essential information about the interior and the exterior of the monastery, as well as about the life of the nuns and Orthodox Christianity in general.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Resavska Cave, 20 km from Despotovac, Despotovac Serbia
Next, we are set for an extraordinary experience. We will visit the Resava cave, one of the oldest in Serbia, some 80 million years old, with some of the older formations dating back around 45 million years. The interior of the cave abounds in numerous and varied halls, channels, galleries, columns, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies and flowstone waterfalls.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Vodopad Veliki Buk, Despotovac Serbia
Our next stop is Veliki Buk (also called Lisine), a beautiful waterfall, approximately 20-25 high, which makes it one of the highest waterfalls in Serbia. The surrounding is scenic and perfect for relaxation. This karstic waterfall is protected as a natural monument, and it's most impressive during the autumn. In the summertime, there's less water, but it's still lovely to visit, very refreshing.
Further on, you will enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch in a unique atmosphere. (not included in the price)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Manasija Monastery, 280, Serbia, Despotovac Serbia
Continue your ride to the Manasija monastery. Manasija monastery is one of the last monuments to Serbian medieval culture, raised by Despot Stefan Lazarević, son of Prince Lazar. The construction of the church, an extravagant fortification, and a large refectory took from 1406 to 1418. The impressive walls with 11 towers, surrounded by a trench, would at that time have been a modern system for the defense of the monastery. The most dominant and most imposing tower – the keep – is known as Despotova Kula (Despot’s Tower).
The Church of the Holy Trinity is considered a prime example of Morava architecture.
Frescoes in Manasija are among the most beautiful of the Morava properties and old Serbian art in general. Besides the monumental depictions of warriors in the choir transept, prophets pictured in the dome are exceptionally beautiful, as well as the idealized representation of Despot Stefan Lazarević presenting a model of the church to the Holy Trinity. Besides monastery churches and fortifications, Manasija partially preserves the remains of the old refectory and library. The library housed a scriptorium in which numerous books were copied. The so-called ‘Resava orthography’ was much valued and was to influence later scribes for some time to come.
After an unforgettable day, you will head back to Belgrade.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Belgrade, Belgrade
Your tour concludes with transportation back to your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, where we'll arrive in the afernoon. End of services.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Belgrade, Belgrade
Your tour starts at your accommodation, and we head towards Pomoravlje District, known as the center of the last Serbian Medieval Kingdom, where monasteries still keep the enormous cultural and historical legacy and wealth.
Stop At: Ravanica Monastery, Village Senja near Town of Cuprija, Cuprija 35233 Serbia
Our first stop is Ravanica monastery. It was the endowment of Prince Lazar built during the period between 1375 and 1377, with its frescoes painted in the years preceding the Battle of Kosovo. Due to its architectural and artistic features, the Ravanica church can be called the birthplace of the new creative movement called the Morava school. The church is original in its architectural style, which is a blend of the Mount Athos tradition of the trefoil base and the cross-in-square five-domed model which became standard in the time of King Milutin.
Our guide will give you essential information about the interior and the exterior of the monastery, as well as about the life of the nuns and Orthodox Christianity in general.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Resavska Cave, 20 km from Despotovac, Despotovac Serbia
Next, we are set for an extraordinary experience. We will visit the Resava cave, one of the oldest in Serbia, some 80 million years old, with some of the older formations dating back around 45 million years. The interior of the cave abounds in numerous and varied halls, channels, galleries, columns, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies and flowstone waterfalls.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Vodopad Veliki Buk, Despotovac Serbia
Our next stop is Veliki Buk (also called Lisine), a beautiful waterfall, approximately 20-25 high, which makes it one of the highest waterfalls in Serbia. The surrounding is scenic and perfect for relaxation. This karstic waterfall is protected as a natural monument, and it's most impressive during the autumn. In the summertime, there's less water, but it's still lovely to visit, very refreshing.
Further on, you will enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch in a unique atmosphere. (not included in the price)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Manasija Monastery, 280, Serbia, Despotovac Serbia
Continue your ride to the Manasija monastery. Manasija monastery is one of the last monuments to Serbian medieval culture, raised by Despot Stefan Lazarević, son of Prince Lazar. The construction of the church, an extravagant fortification, and a large refectory took from 1406 to 1418. The impressive walls with 11 towers, surrounded by a trench, would at that time have been a modern system for the defense of the monastery. The most dominant and most imposing tower – the keep – is known as Despotova Kula (Despot’s Tower).
The Church of the Holy Trinity is considered a prime example of Morava architecture.
Frescoes in Manasija are among the most beautiful of the Morava properties and old Serbian art in general. Besides the monumental depictions of warriors in the choir transept, prophets pictured in the dome are exceptionally beautiful, as well as the idealized representation of Despot Stefan Lazarević presenting a model of the church to the Holy Trinity. Besides monastery churches and fortifications, Manasija partially preserves the remains of the old refectory and library. The library housed a scriptorium in which numerous books were copied. The so-called ‘Resava orthography’ was much valued and was to influence later scribes for some time to come.
After an unforgettable day, you will head back to Belgrade.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Belgrade, Belgrade
Your tour concludes with transportation back to your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, where we'll arrive in the afernoon. End of services.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
- Remember to bring a jacket, as it gets cold in the cave even during the summer months.
- The tour includes an entrance to places of worship, and so will be asked to wear appropriate clothing.
- The child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults.
- Please bring some cash as you can pay for the Resava cave & Veliki Buk waterfall entrance fees and lunch only in Serbian dinars. Resava cave = 500 RSD per person Veliki Buk waterfall = 120 RSD per person Full traditional Serbian lunch (optional, 10-13€ per person)
- The minimum number for a shared tour to operate is three guests.
- At least 16 hours before the trip, we will inform you in case there are not enough guests on tour, and we will offer a choice between: 1) canceling the tour with no fees applied; 2) changing the tour date; 3) moving to another available tour.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
BarbieRobo
August 2023
We had an EXCELLENT guide called Konstantin who was very knowledgeable about everything - history, geography, religions and foods. He is an excellent driver and we felt safe. He is kind and thoughtful and all our needs were met. He gave us ample time at each monastery and cave and the delicious l...
We had an EXCELLENT guide called Konstantin who was very knowledgeable about everything - history, geography, religions and foods. He is an excellent driver and we felt safe. He is kind and thoughtful and all our needs were met. He gave us ample time at each monastery and cave and the delicious lunch at the waterfall. The drive through the country is nice and we loved getting picked up at our hotel.Kristin_R
January 2022
Great tour! Highly recommend for solo travelers or a small group. If you're a fan of history, especially religious history, you will like this tour. The tour guide, Alexander, was extremely knowledgeable about the sites visited. The tour included two monasteries, a waterfall, and Resava cave, whi...
Great tour! Highly recommend for solo travelers or a small group. If you're a fan of history, especially religious history, you will like this tour. The tour guide, Alexander, was extremely knowledgeable about the sites visited. The tour included two monasteries, a waterfall, and Resava cave, which was probably my favorite. I've been to various caves before but this one was small, intimate, and felt more "unexplored." Well worth a visit and a great mix of culture and nature!Stephanie H
August 2019
This day tour was great with a mixture of many different sights and I learned a lot of Serbian history from our amazing guide, Jelica.
This day tour was great with a mixture of many different sights and I learned a lot of Serbian history from our amazing guide, Jelica.MarinaFollowsTheSun
August 2019
Aleksandar was a great guide, who replies to emails very promptly and picked us up very punctually. The ride through the countryside was smooth and he told us many interesting facts about the Serbian history and everyday life. He managed to make history come to life, but also gave us time to roam...
Aleksandar was a great guide, who replies to emails very promptly and picked us up very punctually. The ride through the countryside was smooth and he told us many interesting facts about the Serbian history and everyday life. He managed to make history come to life, but also gave us time to roam free and take pictures. We really enjoyed the trip and are looking forward to returning to Serbia and explore some more.228josi
July 2019
It was a diversified and great organised tour through fantastic eastern Serbia. Aleksandar was an amazing guide. Thank you! It is worth the money.
It was a diversified and great organised tour through fantastic eastern Serbia. Aleksandar was an amazing guide. Thank you! It is worth the money.aiJP
July 2019
Serbia has a lot of places to go, and I wanted to see a bit of nature side of Serbia too. So I chose this tour and it turned out a great outing day! My guide was Teodra, she spoke perfect English and very easy to talk to. A young bright lady! What I was impressed the most from this tour was the ...
Serbia has a lot of places to go, and I wanted to see a bit of nature side of Serbia too. So I chose this tour and it turned out a great outing day! My guide was Teodra, she spoke perfect English and very easy to talk to. A young bright lady! What I was impressed the most from this tour was the explanation of the monastery, it’s decoration inside, and other things. After two monasteries, we went to the natural cave and waterfall. The waterfall was much smaller than I thought... but the restaurant that I had a trout fish was very very good!! And I loved the salad too.. I still miss the salad from Serbia. They are so fresh and good. This kind of things, it’s better to have someone and everything is easy for you. Very very nice day trip I had !