Description of the attraction
The Orthodox Monastery of Tvrdos is located four kilometers from Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The monastery is old, according to legend, founded in the 4th century by Constantine the Great at the initiative of his mother, Queen of Serbia Helena of Anjou. She even brought a Christian relic from Calvary to the monastery - a piece of the Lord's cross. Another legend says that it was in this monastery that Vasily Ostrozhsky, an outstanding Orthodox ascetic of Serbian origin, took monastic vows.
The history of the legendary monastery repeats the history of most medieval Christian churches. This is a series of fires, destruction and rebuilding. Thoroughly restored at the beginning of the 16th century, at the end of the 17th century it was blown up by the Turks. The next restoration of the monastery began only in 1928. Then a wealthy American, a native of Trebinje, rebuilt the monastery church. The real revival of the monastery began a quarter of a century later.
Today it is a functioning monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the strongholds of Orthodoxy and the keeper of Christian traditions. It was there that the chair of the territorial diocese, which had been in Mostar for three centuries, was transferred.
A glass floor has been made in the monastery church so that the foundation of the 4th century can be seen. The relic brought by Queen Helena was rescued by the monks, survived all the cataclysms and now takes pride of place in the temple. There is also the most expensive Orthodox icon in the Balkans, set in gold, with diamonds. The most famous is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which gives a blessing for a successful marriage. To do this, you need to leave your decoration in front of the icon.
Tvrdos Monastery is especially famous for its wine cellars. After 17 centuries, the monks continue to preserve the culture of Serbian monastery winemaking. Delicious wines mature in two ancient stone cellars equipped with modern air conditioning systems. The most famous, "Vranac", is the owner of medals at the most prestigious international exhibitions.
