For centuries ancient forests of the Southern slopes of Mt. Fruška Gora have been hiding the Krušedol monastery, a sanctuary where the remains of Serbian despots, patriarchs and a king still lie.
Mt. Fruška Gora, a delightful mountain that rules the Vojvodina plane, proudly keeps 16 late medieval monasteries, Krušedol being one of them. Snow and rain washed the colors off their walls, conquerors burnt them down and demolished them, but neither menaces nor people managed to destroy these magnificent monuments of Serbian culture.
Probably the most significant among them is the Krušedol monastery, which construction in the 15th century was initiated by Despot Djordje Branković and his mother Angelina. This, today a female monastery, is dedicated to the Christian holiday Annunciation Day, commemorating the announcement of the Incarnation by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.
Djordje, who later took the monastic vows and took the name of Maksim, brought the remains of his father Stefan and his uncle Jovan Branković to the Krušedol monastery. He also intended a crypt where he would later be buried. Thus it is considered that he intended for this monastery to be the family mausoleum of the Branković family.
However, the remains of the patriarch Arsenije III Čarnojević, the patriarch Arsenije IV Šakabent, Princes Ljubica Obrenović (the wife of Miloš Obrenović) and the remains of King Milan Obrenović also found their eternal peace here.
Beside them, Duke Stevan Šupljikac and the metropolitan Isajia Djaković were buried in the monastery. A path leads to the monastery from a bright red church shaped gate that creates a perfect contrast to the surrounding greenery of the forest.
The Krušedol monastery rises in the middle of it, surrounded by the monastery quarters creating a perfect square around it and creating a secluded and mysterious look. The ancient Greek style can be noticed in the construction of the monastery.
Its Baroque bell tower from the early 18th century is its precious, but the most significant treasure of the Krušedol monastery is its frescoes and iconostasis. The frescoes were painted first, in the mid 16th century. It is considered that the authors were Greek monks from Mount Athos and its hinterland.
The most stunning among the frescoes is the one representing the Last Judgment on the western facade of the monastery. The second layer of wall painting includes the iconostasis painted two centuries later. It includes 36 icons painted in different times, thus representing different epochs and styles.
It is still unknown who was the creator of this magnificent iconostasis, but the central pieces are the oldest icons representing apostles with Christ, the Virgin Mary and the St. John the Baptist.
The Krušedol monastery was also one of the main literature centers with significant book writing and transcription practice. And when the occasion required it, it supported the Serbian people who found here the sanctuary fleeing from the oppression of the Ottoman conquerors.
Monastery with the permission from the king of Hungary
At the time of the construction of the Krušedol monastery, Serbia was under the governance of the Ottoman Empire. Srem, where the monastery is located, belonged to the Hungarian Empire.
Due to a large number of Serbs who settled in these southern parts of the Empire at that time running from the Turkish oppression, the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus restored the Serbian Despotate within his state and allowed the Serbian Orthodox Church to continue its work.
After the Despot Vuk Grgurević, the title was awarded by the king to Djordje Branković who built the Krušedol monastery, and since he had no male heir, we can say that he was the last Serbian despot.
The Krušedol monastery and the remains of the members of the Branković family were burnt by Turks in 1716 after the defeat near Petrovaradin. Its reconstruction was initiated in 1721 and it lasted several decades.
During the World War II the monastery escaped new damages but the monastery and its rich treasury were looted.
Years after the War the monastery quarters were transformed into children’s home, only to be returned to monks during the 70-ties of the 20th century.
How to get to the Krušedol monastery?
If you’re heading from Belgrade, you can take the old road Belgrade-Novi Sad, and turn towards the village of Maradik after 60 kilometers. Once in the center of the village turn right and 8,5 km long road will take you straight to the Krušedol monastery.
If coming from Novi Sad or Belgrade via the Highway, get off the highway at the loop near Beška and turn right if coming from the direction of Novi Sad, that is turn left if heading from Belgrade. You need to cross another 15 km from there to get to the monastery.
There are regular bus lines to Novi Sad from every city in Serbia, and from there we recommend taking a local bus to Krušedol. Also numerous tourist agencies offer visits to the monasteries at Mt. Fruška Gora.
When you are already here, don’t miss…
The remains of Sirmium, an antique city and one of four capitals of the late Roman Empire, lie on the Southern slopes of Mt. Fruška Gora.
Visit other monasteries of Fruška Gora: Privina Glava, Divša, Kuveždin, Petkovica, Šišatovac, Bešenovo, Mala Remeta, Beočin, Rakovac, Jazak, Vrdnik, Staro Hopovo, Novo Hopovo, Grgeteg and Velika Remeta.
Take a walk in the special reserve of nature Obedska bara (eng. Obedska pond).
Since you are now visiting the Wine route Fruška Gora, don’t miss visiting the wine capital, Sremski Karlovci, and make sure you taste the local authentic dessert wine – Bermet.
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