Crkva Svetog Petra i Pavla, Pećinska crkva
Rsovci, Stara planina
Church of St. Petar and Pavle - Basic information
This church, specific in many ways, is located near the village of Rsovci, at the foot of the hill Kalik, 22 kilometers away from Pirot. It is also known as the Cave Church, and the specific location on which the church was built is responsible for the origin of that name.
History of the Church of St. Petar and Pavle
The church dates from the 13th century, it is a hermitage, and it is special because it was built inside a cave in the hill Kalik. It has a modest appearance, there is an iconostasis inside it, and the walls of the church are also the walls of the cave. Due to that, the church is classified as a building of high importance, and it is really a rarity when it comes to its architecture.
Fresco of Jesus the Infant
Another rarity, related to Christian painting, rests right here. Namely, on the northern edge of the church is the so-called the fresco of Jesus the Infant, also known as the fresco of the Whole Jesus. On it, Jesus is depicted as young, but also without hair, which is a great rarity to see in fresco painting. It is assumed that the icon was created when the church was built in the 13th century, but reliable information does not exist. Also, it is not known exactly who and why decided to portray Jesus in exactly that way. Some believe that it is due to a group of painters who were under various influences of Christianity, while others believe that it is the work of one of the hermits who stayed in the church.
How to get to the church of St. Petar and Pavle?
The church has become more accessible for visits since about ten years ago. Many organizations in Pirot took care of that, as well as the World Tourism Organization, which invested in creating a road and steps leading to it. It is about 25 kilometers away from Pirot.
You can reach the church:
By car: From Pirot, on road 221, to Rsovac, then over the bridge on the river Visocica. It can be reached from Belgrade in 3 and a half hours, by the A1 highway, through Jagodina, Paracin, Nis and Pirot.
Additional information
To enter the church, it is necessary to be properly dressed, with covered shoulders and without short clothes.
History of the Church of St. Petar and Pavle
The church dates from the 13th century, it is a hermitage, and it is special because it was built inside a cave in the hill Kalik. It has a modest appearance, there is an iconostasis inside it, and the walls of the church are also the walls of the cave. Due to that, the church is classified as a building of high importance, and it is really a rarity when it comes to its architecture.
Fresco of Jesus the Infant
Another rarity, related to Christian painting, rests right here. Namely, on the northern edge of the church is the so-called the fresco of Jesus the Infant, also known as the fresco of the Whole Jesus. On it, Jesus is depicted as young, but also without hair, which is a great rarity to see in fresco painting. It is assumed that the icon was created when the church was built in the 13th century, but reliable information does not exist. Also, it is not known exactly who and why decided to portray Jesus in exactly that way. Some believe that it is due to a group of painters who were under various influences of Christianity, while others believe that it is the work of one of the hermits who stayed in the church.
How to get to the church of St. Petar and Pavle?
The church has become more accessible for visits since about ten years ago. Many organizations in Pirot took care of that, as well as the World Tourism Organization, which invested in creating a road and steps leading to it. It is about 25 kilometers away from Pirot.
You can reach the church:
By car: From Pirot, on road 221, to Rsovac, then over the bridge on the river Visocica. It can be reached from Belgrade in 3 and a half hours, by the A1 highway, through Jagodina, Paracin, Nis and Pirot.
Additional information
To enter the church, it is necessary to be properly dressed, with covered shoulders and without short clothes.
Amenities
Type of Attractions
- Brige
- Museum
Location
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