| A spectacular natural, cultural and spiritual monument, in the 15th century this cave was became a home and a place of worship complete with awe-inspiring reliefs carved into the rock.
The steep south-facing karst hills close to Bol are pitted with caves which, in the Middle Ages, provided shelter for refugees from mainland convents and monasteries who fled from the invading Ottoman armies. Since these were eremitic orders living an ascetic life of solitary prayer, these isolated caves, apart from providing a safe hiding place, were a logical choice for habitation. However, the friars and nuns worked hard at making their abodes fitting places for service to God, and thus in this 20 metre long cave four halls were created that comprised a monastery and church. A chapel and an altar were carved into the rock, there are water cisterns, graves and niches for solitary prayer and the walls were decorated with fabulous carvings. |