Manasija, also known as Resava, is one of the most significant monuments of the serbian medieval culture and belongs to the so-called "Moravian school". It was built by despot Stefan Lazarević - Visoki (the Tall) between 1407 and 1418. Immediately after its foundation, Manasija became a cultural centre of the Despot state. The "Resava school" was famous for its translations and handwritings - even after the fall of the state, throughout the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
The church to the Holy Trinity
The monastery complex constists of:
- the church,
- the great refectory (dining room) or the so-called "School" (which is in a bad condition and is situated to the south of the church),
- the fortress with 11 towers, the greatest of which is the "Despot's tower" (to the north of the church).
During five centuries of captivity by the Turks, the monastery was damaged and robbed. The lead roof of the church was taken away, so that the roof leaked for more than a century and consequently 2/3 of the frescoes were totally ruined.
The fortress
The west part of the church, the so-called "narthex" was severely damaged by an explosion in the eighteenth century, so that the larger part of today's narthex was erected later on. Fortunately, it was in this part of the church that the floor mosaic, composed of larger bits of many-colorured stones has been preserved.
Although severely damaged, the painting style of Manasija's frescoes belongs to the masterpieces of the medieval wall - painting. Out of the preserved frescoes, the founder's composition on the west wall of the main part of the church deseries special attention. Here the portrait of despot Stefan has been preserved. On the south and north wall - in the apses - the magnificent figures of warrior saints can be seen. On the upper zones some scenes from the life of our Lord Jesus Christ are painted and also his parables from the Gospel illustrated. In the main cupola, the Old Testament prophets are represented: In the altar, the holy Communion of the apostles and a Procession of church fathers among whom (in the last row towards the north) is the first serbian archbishop St. Sava. On the pillars - some meddallions with busts of saints have been very well preserved, and also on the south pillar the figure of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Peter of Alexandria on the north pillar.
Manasija was robbed and damaged in 1439, 1456, 1476 and 1734, and renewed in 1735, 1806, 1810 and 1854. The Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments in Serbia undertook in 1956 an extensive conservation and restauration programme. The restauration of the church, the refectory and "Despot's tower" has already been completed. The conservation of the outside walls and other towers is underway. Cleaning and conservation of frescoes began in 1959 and was finished in 1962.
About the cache:
The cache is a small plastic box with a volume of about 1 liter.
How to get to the cache:
From Despotovac use the local road to Bukovac. When you reach Manasija (you cannot miss it), park the car at the parking coordinates, cross the road and find traffic sign 30km/h. You are near the cache. Beware of muggles, when you looking for the cache, logging and putting it back!
History of the cache:
13.8.2018: A new locked gate on the side road caused the cache was not accessible. Therefore the cache was relocated under the wall by cacher marcel_isis who visited the place. Thank you very much. At the same time, hint and spoiler were changed. The coordinates remain the same.