On the road and moving towards Kosovo

Our overnight stay last night was in the folk village of Sirogojno.  It is a type of museum, similar to a Murphy's Landing or Dakota City, with old buildings demonstrating the life style from the19th century.  After having breakfast in an outdoor dining area we toured the village.

We then drove through the mountains on very winding roads to the 12th century monastery of Studencia.   Its frescoes earned it a place on UNESCO's world heritage list.  Our next stop was another monastery, Sopocani, another UNESCO site, this one from the 13th century.

We're staying in the city of Novi Pazar, which is very close to the border of Kosovo.  We will be having a new driver tomorrow who will be our driver through Albania, I believe.

I had a good breakfast out on the deck at the museum.

An 18th century peasant's cottage from the museum.

The approach to the 12th century monastery of Studencia.  This monastery was attacked by the Turks and burned several times.  The church located inside somehow survived these raids as did the main gate and walls.

The frescoes are from the 12th century.  On the right is the coffin containing the remains of St. Simon the monk, the first crowned king of Serbia (He drove out the Turks and established Serbia, then became a monk after ruling for about 20 years.)  He died in 1227.  On the left is his wife Anastasia.  Her coffin is exquisitely made out of silver and gold and encrusted with gems and diamonds (surprising that they could leave it out like this.)

Up until 20 years ago the Sopocani monastery was a nunnery!  The nuns had gotten old and could no longer run it so it became a monastery (there are 6 monks - but they are getting old too).  The monastery was built in the 1100's.  But the frescoes it is famous for were done in the 1200's.

These frescoes are pretty good - but the best ones are inside where they will not let you photograph.  These frescoes are often cited as the inspiration for the Italian renaissance painters.  The main fresco depicts the disciples at Mary's death bed.