Lapušnja Monastery is located on the slopes of

Rtanj Rtanj ( , ) is a mountain situated in eastern Serbia, approximately 200 km southeast of Belgrade, between the towns of Boljevac on north and Sokobanja on the south. It belongs to the Serbian Carpathians. Its highest peak is Šiljak () (1,56 ...

, near the village of Lukovo, not far from

Boljevac Boljevac ( sr-cyr, Бољевац, ) is a town and municipality located in the Zaječar District of eastern Serbia. According to 2022 census, the population of the town was 2,894, while population of the municipality was 10,184. History From 192 ...

, Serbia. It was built by duke Jovan Radul and the great parkalab, prefect Gergina in 1500/1501. year, and the monastery church of St. Nicholas was painted in 1510, under the supervision of Prince Bogoj. The ruins of the monastery were preserved in 1973. Today, Lapušnja is under the protection of the

Republic of Serbia , image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg , national_motto = , image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg , national_anthem = () , image_map = , map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...

, as a cultural monument of great importance.

Architecture and painting of the monastery church

The church in Lapušnja has a triconchonal base, with a narthex on the west and a semicircular altar apse on the east. The altar part is divided into three parts, as well as the nave, which consists of three bays of unequal dimensions. An eight-sided dome rises above the middle one, resting on a square base. In its corners there are stone rosettes, which are also the only architectural decoration of the church. The side apses are five-sided on the outside, and a smaller chapel is attached to the south wall of the church. The fresco painting of the church has been preserved very poorly and has faded, as the church has been destroyed for several centuries. On the founding composition, located at the junction of the north and west walls of the nave, Radul and Gergina are shown, as well as Prince Bogoje with his wife Mara and children. There are also frescoes of holy warriors, archbishops, compositions of Great Holidays and liturgical themes, while biblical prophets and evangelists can be seen in the dome.

Gallery

File:Manastir Lapušnja 1.jpg, alt=, Lapušnja Monastery File:Manastir Lapušnja.jpg, alt=, Lapušnja Monastery File:Manastir Lapušnja, detalj.jpg, alt=, Lapušnja Monastery detail File:Manastir Lapušnja, detalj ostataka freski.jpg, alt=, Lapušnja Monastery detail of the preserved fresca

References

{{Serbian Orthodox Church Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Serbia Medieval sites in Serbia Medieval Serbian Orthodox monasteries Christian monasteries established in the 16th century