conference trip trip.pdf · 2019. 5. 7. · resava cave is one of the oldest explored caves in...
TRANSCRIPT
Conference trip
Manasija Monastery is one of the most important
monuments to medieval Serbian culture and the
most significant construction built in the manner
of so called “Morava architecture school”. It was
built by despot Stefan Lazarević (also known as
Stefan the Tall), whose remains, as believed by
experts, are buried in the southern part of the
church, beneath a marble slab. The construction
of the monastery began in 1407 and was finished by 1418. It quickly became the cultural center of
the Serbian Despotate. Its scriptorium (called “The school of Resava”) supplied the whole state
with books and translations, and continued to work even under Ottoman occupation, deep into
late 16th century. The monastery church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The whole complex has
large walls around, which have served as a defence. It consisted of 11 towers, of which the tower
of the towers, known as the Despot’s tower, stood out. Although only a third of the frescoes have
been saved in the monastery, Manasije’s painting is one of the greatest achievements of medieval
painting.
Resava Cave is one of the oldest explored caves in Serbia. Its age is estimated to be 80 million
years, while the oldest cave decorations are
around 45 million years old. The temperature
inside is constant, around 7°C, while the humidity
varies between 80 and 100%. Cave walls are
abundant with various types of decorations –
halls, canals, galleries, pillars, stalactites,
stalagmites, draperies and waterfalls‐turned‐to‐stone. Decorations start from the vey entrance, at
458 meters above sea level. Decorations are formed by dissolving of calcium‐carbonate, and its
color depends on the mineral that the water passes through. Red color is prevalent – it originates
from oxidized iron. Among other colors, most common are white (from crystalline calcium) and
yellow (from clay particles).
Veliki Buk Waterfall ‐ From Resava cave, there’s a
10‐15 minute drive to Lisine. The waterfall is over
20 meters high and is considered to be among the
highest in Serbia. It’s strongest in the spring,
because it carries the most water in that period.
It’s most refreshing during the summer heat and it
is most beautiful in the autumn. It’s protected by
law as a natural monument.