- Address: Trebiњe 89101, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Built: in the year 2000.
There is a beautiful city of Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina , drowning in summer in luscious greenery and surrounded by a dense ring of six hills. On one of the mountain peaks called Cřkvine lies the church complex Hertsegovochka-Gračanica , the main object of which is the Temple of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was erected in 2000. It is thanks to its location that the church proudly flaunts against the blue sky and the green hills of Trebinje, and is viewed from anywhere in the city.
History of construction
The Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos is a relatively new construction, but has already become an important tourist attraction not only in the city of Trebinje, but throughout the country Bosnia and Herzegovina. The author of the architectural project is Predrag Ristic, who has experience in building more than 60 churches in the past.
Like any monastery, Herzogovochka-Garachnitsa (as they call it local) has its own history of creation. The temple was built on the money that the Serbian diplomat Jovan Ducic, who worked and lived in the United States, donated to his native city. The last desire of the native poet and educator, a native of Trebinje , was to bury him in his native land. Jovan Ducic died in 1943, but for some reason his will was ignored. Only after many years in the course of studying the archives, it was found. Emigrant from Serbia Branko Tupanac, who came across these documents, decided to fulfill the will of his compatriot. The poet's ashes were transported from the USA to Bosnia and reburied within the walls of the church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The monastery at the top of the Crkvine hill became a reconstructed copy of another important religious object - the Gracanica temple in the name of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was in Kosovo, and is a symbol of adamant adherence to Orthodoxy and traditions. The architectural appearance of the church was created under the influence of Greek art with elements of Byzantine and Serbian architecture. As a result, a new Serbian style appeared, which was given the local name "Vardar".
The Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos stands on 16 columns, fifteen of which are round in shape and only one is rectangular. It has 5 domes, rising on 4-faceted towers, and outwardly it looks stepped. The lower part of the building is a pedestal of a square shape, due to which in general the church looks strictly and solemnly at the same time. A brick was used to build the monastery.
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The interior of the temple
Externally, the Temple of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the photo is a multistage complex architectural structure with a strict view. But everything changes when you get inside the temple. A rich painting with a predominance of blue and gold colors, made by masters from Belgrade, amaze the imagination with its brightness and originality.
Observance of Serbian traditions begins at the entrance. Here at the threshold on the floor is a dragon, composed of a mosaic. It is believed that the person who has stepped on him, renounces his sins.
Inside it is very beautiful, bright and unusual.
To enter the church, you do not have to wear a long skirt, a blouse with closed sleeves and cover your head with a handkerchief. It is enough to refuse too frank clothes: short skirts, shorts and tops.
The internal painting of walls and ceilings is a real work of art. Despite the bright colors and colorful paintings, the interior of the temple looks very harmonious. There are no superfluous elements, pretentiousness and pomposity.
Particular attention can be drawn to the image on the wall to the right of the entrance. Here is drawn Elena Anjuiskaya, which the local consider the patroness of her city. She holds the church, and under her feet lies the city of Trebinje. To the left of it is depicted Branko Tupanyac, who embodied the will of Jovan Ducic, and to the right - the poet himself with a volume of poems in his hands. A striking beauty is art.
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How to find?
You can get to the monastery by bus, if you bought a ticket for an organized excursion, or by car. If you want and have the time to the top of the hill to the church you can climb and walk.