Manastir Jovanja

Jovanja Monastery - the most important information

The monastery of the Valjevo Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church was built in the area of the village of Jovanja. It is located only 7 km from Valjevo, on the right side of the gorge of the river Jablanica. The monastery church is dedicated to the Birth of Saint Jovan and its time of construction is connected to the 15th century. The monastery suffered the burning from the Turks. Today, its abbot is Archimandrite Mihailo Bikovic. Do not miss to visit this monastery and enjoy it’s meticulously landscaped yard when visiting Valjevo.

History of the Jovanja Monastery
Although the main assumption is that the monastery was built in the 15th century, there are no reliable sources that would confirm nor deny this. In the 18th century a theological school was founded within the monastery, but it’s work was interrupted by the Turks when the monastery was burned down in 1788. The church itself was built in a simplified Raska style, in its rectangular base it contains domes and a semicircular vault. The dome over the central lawn and the semicircular altar apse with the vault give the church a specific look. During the renovation of the monastery in 1806 two narthexes were added. The iconostasis that has been preserved shows scenes from the Great Holidays and the Last Judgment. Older frescoes that have been restored several times show the baptism and crucifixion of Christ, as well as The Annunciation.

Significance of the Jovanja Monastery

It has been declared a cultural monument of great importance.
The ktitors of the monastery were Jovan and Jevta Vitanovic, and as a sign of gratitude for the great help during the renovation, they were buried in the gate south of the church.

How to get to the Jovanja monastery?
It does not take more than 10 minutes by car from the center of Vljevo to reach the monastery, so traveling by car is the best option. You can reach Jovanje by following Kolubara and its constituent river Jablanica.

By car: through Dusanova Street join the state road 170, which you follow along Bircaninova next to Kolubara and Jablanica.

Additional information
To enter the church it is necessary to follow a specific dress code that includes covered shoulders and no short pants, skirts or dresses.