Located in the disputed region of Kosovo, Visoki Decani is a major Serb Orthodox Christian monastery. The monastery was established in a chestnut grove by King Stefan Decanski in 1327. The original charter dates 1330, the year before the King passed away. Buried in the monastery, the site quickly became a popular shrine. The monastic church is dedicated to Christ Pantocrator and built from blocks of red-purple, light-yellow and onyx marble. It was constructed by builders working under a Franciscan monk, Vitus of Kotor. In 2004, it was made a UNESCO world heritage site.

The church is distinguished by its imposing size and Romanesque and Early Gothic structure and design. Apart from the extensive and well preserved fresco cycles the interior features the original 14th-century stone templon, the throne of the hegumen and the carved wooden sarcophagus of the founder King Stefan.

Written by  John Johnston.

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