Banjani - Medieval Monuments

Medieval Monuments

• Kosijerevo, 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery

Many of the churches he raised Montenegrin medieval nobility were destroyed during the Turkish rule. Only some of them restored and rebuilt during the restoration of the Pec Patriarchate. Thus, in our time reveal the basis of some medieval churches.

Today in Banjani no single church or monastery from the Middle Ages. But the chances are that this space in time Nemanjića, and later had a sacral building. It should be noted of course Kosijerevo monastery. In Banjani relatively more old churches. Their construction related art historians during the restoration of the Pec Patriarchate, the end of the 16th century or the beginning of the 17th. But there is every possibility that these churches, or at least some of them, built on medieval foundations of the church.

Church of St. Sava in Prigradina village, hamlet Počivala, which was painted churches in the restoration of the Patriarchate of Pec, and consequently the early 17th century. A legend at the end, it is the oldest church in the tribe and was raised at the time of Nemanjić dynasty. However, the second story of her raised from founder of clan Matović and Krušić who was captured in Kosovo, and as islamized man, gave money for its construction. It is said that at the time the Turks were completely protected while in the country, with a secret entrance for the Orthodox faithful. It probably was this temple built on the foundations of a medieval church. The Church is now under state protection, mainly because of his paintings.

Church of Archangel Michael is also in Prigradina, near the town Velimlje. The significance of this church is that it has the status of cathedral. It has murals and built in 1867. year. However, it is built on the foundations of an earlier temple, about which we knows nothing. Medieval holy Church St.John the Baptist,in Petrovići, Drijenak hamlet, is the mausoleum of the dukes in second half of the 15th century. It was buried Duke Cvjetko Banjanin and his son Duke Grban Cvjetković Banjanin. Church of the Archangel Michael, in village Petrovići, Stražnica hamlet, dates from the late 16th century, painted in 1605, that at the time of Duke Banjani was Ivan Petrovic and was the family temple of Petrović.Church of St.John the Baptist, in Klenje, 3 km from Velimlje at the beginning of 17th century was built from Miljanić clan. Church of St.Ilija in the Petrovići region is also an old church, the early 17th century and was raised by Mrkajići clan.

For Banjani the characteristic that they contain frequent clan church. Generally, the higher or related clans have their common church. Komnenović, Koprivica and Miljanic clans have their own church. A mate of clans, Mirkovići and Perovići has a common church. This applies to Erakovic and Kilibarda, as well as other related clans. Banjani are known for their tombstones of patarens - stećak. They have been close to a century in the borders of Bosnia, which is known for these monuments. They are mainly Banjani incurred in the 14th century, although some may occur earlier, even later. There are at several places. Were built on the earlier cemeteries and see them today in individual monuments.Their appearance confirms this. In Banjani, who at the time Nemanjića stepped into the world of Orthodoxy, lived much patarens. Some tombstones of patarens (stećak) are made with lots of ornamentation, which prefer a medieval nobleman, which confirms that the Banjani lords was patarens in the period of Kingdom of Bosnia, which was an official religion in that Bosnian time of ruling.

In Renovac, Koprivica hamlet, is a stone seat, called Banova stolica (Ban's throne).