Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The Whale Museum
Old locomotive a blue, angry face awaits on the tracks with the railway station in the background
Children's Railway
Smallcombe Garden Cemetery
Elmhurst Model Railroad Club
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Caru' cu Bere
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
An illustration of Port Royal from the book “On the Spanish Main.”
Port Royal: The Rise and (Literal) Fall of a Booming Pirate City
about 23 hours ago
Museum founder Paul Stewart often traveled to local classrooms, like this Denver elementary school, to share the stories of Colorado’s Black Cowboys.
The Black American West Museum Celebrates the Black Cowboy
2 days ago
Charlie’s Place: Music, Mystery & Civil Rights.
Charlie’s Place Episode 1: Whispering Pines
3 days ago
The Golden Gate Bridge as seen from the Marin Headlands at sunrise.
Listener Stories of Leaving Home: From San Francisco to Japan
5 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Kosovo Visoki Dečani Monastery

Visoki Dečani Monastery

A monastery considered a state-protected cultural monument of exceptional importance, founded in the 14th century by Serbian King Stefan Dečanski.

Deçan, Kosovo

Added By
Lana Velkov
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Visoki Dečani Monastery   Marcin Szala
Visoki Dečani Monastery   Marcin Szala
Orthodox Christian symbolism   Martin Broz
Griffon element   Gregor Joham
Visoki Dečani Monastery interior   AgronBeqiriPh
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Visoki Dečani Monastery is a medieval Serbian Orthodox Christian monastery located in Kosovo. It is renowned for its historical and cultural significance, as well as its remarkable architecture and religious art.The Visoki Dečani Monastery was built in the mid-14th century (between 1327 and 1335) by King Stefan Dečanski of Serbia. It was established as a royal endowment and served as a mausoleum for the Nemanjić dynasty. Representing the height of Serbian medieval architecture, encompassing both Byzantine and Romanesque styles with distinct Serbian elements, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. It represents the historical and artistic achievements of Serbia in this area.

The monastery complex consists of the main church, several chapels, monk cells, and a defensive wall. Furthermore, frescoes cover the walls and ceilings of the main church, depicting biblical scenes, saints, and the lives of Serbian rulers. The art is renowned for its vivid colors, detailed craftsmanship, and spiritual expression. It serves as a place of worship, pilgrimage, and cultural preservation, playing a vital role in maintaining the Serbian Orthodox Christian tradition.Despite the complex political situation in the region, Visoki Dečani Monastery remains a prominent spiritual and cultural destination, attracting visitors from around the world who come to admire its beauty and learn about its rich history. It is amongst the top most endangered cultural sites in Europe.

Related Tags

Churches History & Culture Monasteries

Community Contributors

Added By

Lana Velkov

Published

July 18, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.lonelyplanet.com/kosovo/attractions/visoki-decani-monastery/a/poi-sig/1251767/360675
  • https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g2284143-d502002-Reviews-Visoki_Decani_Monastery-Decan.html
  • https://orthochristian.com/136134.html
Visoki Dečani Monastery
Ruga sali ceku
Deçan
Kosovo
42.546221, 20.265388
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Patriarchate of Peć

Peja, Kosovo

miles away

Ura e Terzive

Bishtazhin, Kosovo

miles away

Lock-In Tower of Theth

Theth, Albania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kosovo

Kosovo

Europe

Places 14

Nearby Places

Patriarchate of Peć

Peja, Kosovo

miles away

Ura e Terzive

Bishtazhin, Kosovo

miles away

Lock-In Tower of Theth

Theth, Albania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kosovo

Kosovo

Europe

Places 14

Related Places

  • Altar and murals.

    Akhtala, Armenia

    Akhtala Monastery

    This often-missed monastery, set in a scenic mountain landscape, features unique frescoes, fortifications and legends.

  • Sohag, Egypt

    Red Monastery

    An early Christian basilica modeled after an Egyptian temple showcases some the best-preserved frescos from late antiquity.

  • Ruins of the church in Dvorine from above.

    Banja, Serbia

    Dvorine

    The remains of a luxurious 14th-century church built by the last despot of Serbia.

  • Bârsana Convent

    Bârsana, Romania

    Bârsana Monastery

    The most impressive example of contemporary Romanian architecture in wood

  • Birkenhead Priory

    Birkenhead, England

    Birkenhead Priory

    The oldest standing building on Merseyside is special for its rich history as a Benedictine monastery and its unique connection to the origins of the Mersey Ferry.

  • Sarcophagus of Chrodoara

    Amay, Belgium

    Sarcophagus of Chrodoara

    Since its accidental discovery in 1977, this sarcophagus has been described as "the greatest masterpiece of Merovingian sculpture north of the Alps."

  • Church of St. Sophia in Nessebar

    Nessebar, Bulgaria

    Hagia Sophia Church

    This fifth-century church is one of the oldest Christian sites in the Balkans.

  • Murals inside the Church of St. Stephen in Nessebar

    Nessebar, Bulgaria

    Church of St. Stephen

    Step inside this medieval Orthodox gem and travel back to the 16th century.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.