Eastern Serbia: Fortified Manasija Monastery & Resava Cave Tour

Your tour starts at your accommodation, and we head to the Pomoravlje District, known as the center of the last Serbian Medieval Kingdom, where monasteries still preserve an enormous cultural and historical legacy and wealth.

Manasija Monastery

Our first stop is the Manasija Monastery, one of the last monuments to Serbian medieval culture, built by Despot Stefan Lazarevic, son of Prince Lazar. Nestled in the tranquil hills of central Serbia, this breathtaking 15th-century fortress-like monastery is not only a testament to the genius of Serbian architecture but also a significant symbol of the country’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The church’s construction, extravagant fortification, and large refectory were completed between 1406 and 1418. The impressive walls, surrounded by 11 towers and a trench, have been a modern system for the monastery’s defense. The most dominant and imposing tower – the keep – is known as Despotova Kula, or Despot’s Tower. The Church of the Holy Trinity is considered a prime example of Morava architecture. Frescoes in Manasija are among the most beautiful in Morava properties and in Serbian art in general. In addition to the monumental depictions of warriors in the choir transept, the prophets depicted in the dome are exceptionally beautiful, as is the idealized representation of Despot Stefan Lazarevic presenting a model of the church to the Holy Trinity. In addition to the monastery, church, and fortifications, Manasija preserves the old refectory and the remains of the library. The library housed a scriptorium in which numerous books were copied. The so-called ‘Resava orthography’ was highly valued and influenced later scribes for some time.

Resava Cave

Next, we are set for an extraordinary experience. We will visit the Resava Cave, one of the oldest in Serbia, estimated to be approximately 80 million years old, with some formations dating back around 45 million years. Discover its spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites, formed over thousands of years, as you stroll through its fascinating chambers. The cave’s otherworldly beauty and intricate rock formations will leave you in awe, making it an unforgettable experience for both nature lovers and adventure seekers. The cave interior is filled with numerous and varied halls, channels, galleries, columns, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, and flowstone waterfalls. The system consists of three levels connected by artificial tunnels. You’ll hear exciting stories about the cave’s past and present, and you’ll see cave formations that take on some very unusual shapes.

Veliki Buk waterfall

Our next stop is Veliki Buk (also known as Lisine), a waterfall approximately 20-25 meters high, making it one of Serbia’s highest. The surroundings are scenic and perfect for relaxation. This karstic waterfall is designated a natural monument and is most impressive in autumn. There’s less water in the summertime, but it’s still lovely to visit and very refreshing. Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch in a unique setting (not included in the price).

After an unforgettable day, you will head back to Belgrade. Your tour concludes with transportation back to your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, where we’ll arrive in the evening. End of services.

• Pick-up will be 15-30 minutes before departure. We’ll email or WhatsApp you the pickup details the day before the trip, no earlier than 6 pm.
• Pickup from any hotel, Airbnb, or pension within 5 km of Republic Square or Belgrade Port is free of charge.
• For pick-up locations more than 5 km from Republic Square, please contact us directly.
• Important note: Depending on the traffic conditions, location of your hotel/Airbnb, the number and the positions of the pick-up locations on the day of your trip, we may ask you to walk to the closest pick-up point (never more than 7-8 minutes of walking from the place where you’re staying).

08:00 – 08:30 Hotel pick-ups
08:30 – 10:30 Tour start & travel through Central Serbia
10:30 – 11:30 Manasija Monastery sightseeing & free time
11:30 – 12:00 proceed to Resava Cave
12:00 – 13:00 Resava Cave sightseeing
13:15 – 14:45 Veliki Buk Waterfall & lunch break (at own expense)
14:45 – 17:00 Driving through Central Serbia, towards Belgrade, with a short stop
17:00 – 17:30 Arrival in Belgrade and hotel drop-offs (approximate time, depending on the traffic conditions)

• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• Travelers should have a moderate level of physical fitness.
• The minimum number of guests required to operate a shared tour is three.
• At least 16 hours before the trip, we will inform you in case there are not enough guests on the tour, and we will offer a choice between:
  1) canceling the tour with no fees applied;
  2) changing the tour date;
  3) moving to another available tour.

We apply very simple rules. If you cancel the tour up to 24 hours before, you’ll get a 100% refund. If you cancel the tour less than 24 hours before the trip, you will not receive any refund.