Cultural Corridors of South East Europe

Heritage by Theme / Christian Monasteries

Monastery of Lesnovo

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Monastery of Lesnovo

About the site


Corridor: Sofia-Ohrid Road
Country: FYR of Macedonia, Lesnovo, Zletovo, Kratovo
Type: Christian religious centre
Epoch: Modern Times, Middle Ages
Theme: Christian Monasteries
World Heritage:
Modern TimesMiddle AgesChristian MonasteriesChristian religious centre

The Lesnovo Monastery, a very famous Medieval literary centre, was founded by the hermit Gabriel of Lesnovo in the 11th century. The monastery’s church, constructed in 1341, is dedicated to the Archangel Gabriel. The most significant among the 14th century paintings are the portrait of Jovan Oliver, the founder of the temple, with the model of the church in his hands, in the company of his wife Oliverina, the portraits of the king Dushan and his wife Elena. The carved iconostasis, sculpted between 1811 and 1814, is counted among the masterpieces of the school of Peter Philipovich-Garkata, active in the Balkan region during the fist half of the 19th century.

Council of Europe



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