The monasterial complex Savina is located 2km from the center of Herceg Novi, in the Savina part of town. The monastery is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture, further enhanced by the exquisite vineyards surrounding it. The complex consists of the Church of Saint Sava, designed by Simeon Foretić from Korčula, and two smaller churches, both of them dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. Although it is an Orthodox Christian church, the Church of Saint Sava, with the shape of its bell-towers reminds one somewhat of Venetian architecture style. Until the 18th century, the monastery was abandoned, but incoming monks from the Tvrdoš monastery from Trebinje help restore the monastery to its full glory. Inside the largest church, the church of Saint Sava, there is a beautiful iconostasis from the 19th century, a work by Simeon Lazović completed with the aid of his son, Aleksej.
The interior of the monastery is home to numerous old Orthodox Christian icons, gifts from old families from Herceg Novi and its surrounding towns. In addition to this, four Russian icons, gifts of the family of Count Stracimirović, are also displayed inside the monastery. The monastery’s treasury is also very rich, containing among other artefacts a cape from the year 1659 which belonged to Serbian Patriarch Arsenije Čarnojević, the crystal cross from the 13th century which belonged to Saint Sava, a reliquary from the Tvrdoš Monastery, as well as an evangel book dating back to the 17th century.
The grand Church of the Dormition of the Queen of God is located beside the Church of Saint Sava and was built from white stone from the island of Korčula, and its bell-tower is 10 meters tall. The church is a blend of Romantic, Byzantine, Gothic and Baroque architecture styles, making it an interesting sight immediately upon notice. The smallest church, a mere ten-meter-wide building, was constructed in the 16th century. An interesting fact is that the monastery was built thanks to the patronage of Serbian people from all around Europe, the majority of whom hailed from Dalmatia, The Republic of Venice, Trieste, Serbia, and even from Russia. All of these people collected the money necessary for the building of this Orthodox Christian shrine, and its foundations were blessed by the first Serbian Patriarch, Saint Sava Nenadović himself.
The monastery is the favorite place of young people to get married in.
The entrance to the monasterial complex is free of charge.
Author of the text:
Marijana Niković licensed tourist guide for Montenegro.
If you are interested in guided tours in English, please contact me at:
(Viber) 00382 68 230 241
