Tvrdos Monastery (Manastir Tvrdos) description and photos - Bosnia and Herzegovina: Trebinje (Topic)

Tvrdos Monastery (Manastir Tvrdos) description and photos - Bosnia and Herzegovina: Trebinje. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Manastir Tvrdos.

Photo and description

The Tvrdos Orthodox Monastery is located four kilometers from Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The monastery is old, according to legend, founded in the 4th century by Constantine the Great on the initiative of his mother, Queen of Serbia Helena of Anjou. She even brought a Christian relic from Calvary to the monastery - a piece of the Lord's cross. Another legend says that it was in this monastery that Vasily Ostrozhsky, an outstanding Orthodox ascetic of Serbian origin, was tonsured.

The history of the legendary monastery repeats the history of most medieval Christian churches. This is a series of fires, destruction and restoration. Thoroughly restored at the beginning of the 16th century, at the end of the 17th century it was blown up by the Turks. The next restoration of the monastery began only in 1928. Then a rich American, a native of Trebinje, rebuilt the monastery church. The real revival of the monastery began a quarter of a century later.

Today it is a functioning monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the strongholds of Orthodoxy and the keeper of Christian traditions. It was there that the chair of the territorial diocese, which had been in Mostar for three centuries, was transferred.

A glass floor was made in the monastery church so that the foundation of the 4th century could be seen. The relic brought by Queen Helena was rescued by the monks, survived all the cataclysms and now occupies an honorable place in the temple. There is also the most expensive Orthodox icon in the Balkans, set in gold and with diamonds. Most famous is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which gives a blessing for a successful marriage. To do this, you need to leave your decoration in front of the icon.

Tvrdos Monastery is especially famous for its wine cellars. 17 centuries later, the monks continue to preserve the culture of Serbian monastery winemaking. In two ancient stone cellars, equipped with modern air conditioning systems, delicious wines mature. The most famous, "Vranac", is the owner of medals at the most prestigious international exhibitions.

We also recommend reading Palazzo Fortuny description and photos - Italy: Venice

Topic: Tvrdos Monastery (Manastir Tvrdos) description and photos - Bosnia and Herzegovina: Trebinje.