DJURDJEVI STUBOVI
Djurdjevi
Stubovi, another endowment of Stefan Nemanja, was built thirty years before
Studenica (around 1176). Today it is only a ruin, topping a hill four kilometres
from the Church of St. Peter in Novi Pazar. The remains of the frescoes
on the few existing portions of the church indicate that the paintings once
embellishing its walls were the work of a master's hand. A monumental fresco
of St. George on horseback, still discernible above the ruins of the main
entrance to the church, is striking even today. The name of the church is
a reminder of its having been dedicated to St. George, and of the two bell-towers
(Serbian: stubovi) which once stood in front of it. In order to save the
monastery from complete dilapidation, comprehensive restoration has been
under way in recent years
Near the ruins of the church, there is a small chapel, built towards
the end of the 13th century by King Dragutin (1276-1315) and
intended to be his burial place. In the vaults, the frescoes include a number
of Serbian assemblies symbolically represented and portraits of some of
the first Nemanjics.
