The history of the monastery begins in the 10th century but, after
its ruin, the emperor Alexius III, in 1198 granted it to the Serbian rulers Stefan
Nemanja and his son Rastko, who became monks (Symeon and Sava respectively) who
proseeded to the construction of new buildings. During the 14th century, the monastery
reached its highest peak, accumulating riches and heirlooms from imperial as well
as private donnations.
One of the largest and richest in heirlooms monasteries of the Holy
Mountain, Chelandar is the main spiritual center of the Serbs from the 12th century
onwards. Besides the central church (Katholicon), honoured in the memory of the
Presentation of the Virgin, there are many chapels, the refectory and the aisles
with the monks΄ cells as well as the other auxiliary buildings (guest-house, library
and others).
The present monastic community preserves close relations with the
Serbian people as well as the Greek population of the Holy Mountain and its neighbouring
area.
Apart from the abundance of frescoes (St. George΄s Tower, Katholicon,
old and new Refectory etc), the monastery possesses one of the largest libraries
of Slavonic and Greek manuscripts, as well as a large number of portable icons
dated in the 12th century onwards.
Map & Distances
Longitude:
24o 07' 15.71" E
Latitude:
40o 20' 23.8" N
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