Žiča

The Zica (Serbian Манастир Жича / Manastir Žiča ) is a Serb Orthodox monastery near Kraljevo at the exit of the gorge of the Ibar. The monastery is situated on the outskirts of the village Žiča ( Kraljevo ).

History

The monastery was founded in 1208 by Stefan Žiča Nemanjić, the " Erstgekrönten ", on the initiative of Saint Sava of Serbia. When the Serbian Orthodox Church became autonomous in 1219, Sava, the first Serbian archbishop of the autocephalous Church in Serbia in Žiča. The monastery of Žiča was the first seat of the Serbian Orthodox Archdiocese, before it was moved in 1250 after Peć.

A large part of the Serbian ruler was crowned in Žiča. Today the monastery of Žiča is a nunnery.

Architecture

The church of the monastery, dedicated to the Ascension of Christ, part of the Raška School. The facade of the church is red as the monasteries of Athos.