Ljubostinja Monastery
Princess Milica’s foundation of 1388, built by Rade Neimar in the Morava style, today a convent. The nearest great monastery: 15 km, 25 minutes away.
- Season
- All year
- Duration
- 60 minutes
- Where
- Indoors and outdoors
- For
- couples, seniors, groups, families with children
- Entry
- Free entry
- From the spa centre
- 25 min by car
About the place
Ljubostinja is the foundation of Princess Milica, wife of Prince Lazar, built around 1388, on the eve of the Battle of Kosovo. By tradition, this is where Milica first saw Lazar. After his death she took the veil here as Evgenija, together with the widows of noblemen fallen at Kosovo, and the monastery also holds the grave of the nun Jefimija, author of the “Praise of Prince Lazar”.
The church was built by the master builder Rade Borović, the Rade Neimar of folk epics, in the Morava school style, with rich stone carving around its windows and portals. The frescoes date from around 1403, painted by Makarije Zograf. Ljubostinja is a cultural monument of exceptional importance and has been a convent since 1937.
It is the nearest of the great monasteries: about 15 kilometres and twenty minutes by car from Vrnjačka Banja, on the left bank of the West Morava, four kilometres from Trstenik. A visit fits into half a day, so it suits an afternoon after a morning at the pool.
Nuns live here, so dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and do not take photos inside the church without permission.
What to expect
Princess Milica’s foundation
Built around 1388; Milica and the nun Jefimija rest here.
Morava style and Rade Neimar
Stone carving around the windows and portals, and frescoes from around 1403.
The nearest great monastery
About 15 km and 20–25 minutes by car from the spa.
Facilities
- Parking
Where it is
Manastir Ljubostinja, Prnjavor, Trstenik
- How to get there
- By car from Vrnjačka Banja towards Trstenik, about 15 km and 20–25 minutes. The monastery is in the village of Prnjavor, four kilometres north of Trstenik.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions people ask most. If yours is not here, get in touch and we will get back to you.
Send us a questionHow far is Ljubostinja from Vrnjačka Banja?
About 15 kilometres, 20 to 25 minutes by car.
Who built Ljubostinja?
Princess Milica, around 1388; the church was built by Rade Borović, Rade Neimar.
Is it a monastery or a convent?
A convent, since 1937.
Stay in the spa for this trip
It is a day trip, and Vrnjačka Banja makes a good base: a bed, restaurants and back the same evening.
