Travel to Montenegro
Morača Monastery

Morača Canyon, Kolašin Municipality

Morača Monastery

Medieval monastery from 1252 in the Morača Canyon

Year founded: 1252

Overview

Morača Monastery was built in 1252 as an endowment of Prince Stefan, son of Vukan Nemanjić and grandson of Stefan Nemanja.

It lies on the right bank of the Morača River, on a natural terrace in a widened part of the canyon, in the municipality of Kolašin. The main Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God is a single-nave building of the Raška school of architecture with a Romanesque portal, and from the original fresco decoration eleven compositions from the life of the Prophet Elijah have been preserved. The monastery was burned in 1505 and restored in 1574, and today it is an active male monastery of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral.

  • Monastery
  • History
  • Frescoes
  • Canyon
Visiting

How to visit a monastery

All monasteries

  • Modest clothing

    Cover shoulders and knees. Some monasteries ask women to wear a headscarf, and skirts and scarves are often available to borrow at the entrance.

  • Quiet and calm

    Monasteries are living communities of monks or nuns. Speak softly, silence your phone and keep out of areas closed to visitors.

  • Photography

    Photography inside churches is often forbidden or limited, especially during services. Ask before taking pictures inside and never use a flash.

  • Donations & candles

    Entry is usually free. A donation towards the monastery's upkeep and candles are voluntary.

Highlights

Discover Morača Monastery

Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God

Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God

Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God was built in 1252 as the main monastery church. It was built in the spirit of the Raška school of architecture, with a semicircular apse, a dome, and a spacious narthex, and the main portal is Romanesque. In the diaconicon, eleven compositions from the life of the Prophet Elijah have been preserved, which are counted among the most valuable works of 13th-century wall painting. The church also houses the tomb of the founder, Prince Stefan.

Church of St. Nicholas

Church of St. Nicholas

Church of St. Nicholas is part of the monastery complex, painted in 1639 by the painter Jovan. It is smaller and more intimate, and its frescoes are a valuable example of 17th-century painting in this region. Visitors often see it together with the main church, inside the high wall with two gates.

Svetigora Waterfall

Svetigora Waterfall

Svetigora Waterfall is located below the monastery, on the slopes of the canyon, and its waters flow into the Morača. It is most visible in spring and after rains, and a short path leads to it from the monastery parking. The view of the waterfall and the monastery above the river is one of the most photographed scenes of the Morača Canyon.

Morača Canyon and Platije

Morača Canyon and Platije

Morača Canyon with Platije offers a dramatic approach to the monastery if you are coming from Podgorica along the E65/E80 highway. The road leads past steep cliffs and tunnels, along the Morača River, and the monastery itself appears on a widened terrace. The drive from Podgorica to the monastery takes about an hour, and it is worth stopping at safe pull-offs for photos.

What to do

Activities in Morača Monastery

Fresco Tour

Viewing the frescoes from the 13th and 17th centuries in the main church and the Church of St. Nicholas.

Walk to Svetigora Waterfall

A short footpath below the monastery to the waterfall whose waters flow into the Morača.

Photography

Taking photos of the monastery architecture and the Morača Canyon; inside the church only with permission.

Morača Monastery

Medieval monastery from 1252 in the Morača Canyon

Morača Monastery

Morača Monastery is one of the most important medieval monuments in Montenegro, founded by Prince Stefan in 1252 on the right bank of the Morača River.

Plan your stay

Morača Monastery — where to stay and how to get around

Live offers from local hosts on our booking platform. Nothing is charged online — you pay the host on site.

A few offers

Booking requests are confirmed by the host; payment on site. Offers come from the Travel to Montenegro booking platform.

Trails

Trails around Morača Monastery

Hiking, walking and cycling routes that start here or pass nearby, with maps and GPX downloads.

All trails
Velje Duboko – Morača Monastery (unmarked)
ExpertHiking
Manito Lake

Velje Duboko – Morača Monastery (unmarked)

26.8 km↑ 1,160 m9–12½ h

Top Biking Trail 1 – Salty and Sweet (Herceg Novi – Plužine)
ExpertCycling
Tvrđava Španjola · Durmitor National Park

Top Biking Trail 1 – Salty and Sweet (Herceg Novi – Plužine)

406 km↑ 10,191 m6–8 days

Top Biking Trail 2 – North Discoveries (Bijelo Polje – Durmitor – Tara)
ExpertCycling
Bijelo Polje · Durmitor National Park

Top Biking Trail 2 – North Discoveries (Bijelo Polje – Durmitor – Tara)

399 km↑ 9,352 m5–8 days

Danielov put
DifficultHiking

Danielov put

12.1 km↑ 976 m4½–6½ h

Međuriječje – Poljana (unmarked)
ExpertHiking

Međuriječje – Poljana (unmarked)

13.0 km↑ 25 m4–5½ h

To the Mountain Hut and Wesko Camp
ModerateHiking

To the Mountain Hut and Wesko Camp

0.9 km↑ 48 m15–25 min

Kruševački Potok – Međuriječje (unmarked)
ExpertHiking

Kruševački Potok – Međuriječje (unmarked)

18.2 km↑ 1,233 m6½–9 h

Stožac Ridge: Manito jezero – Plandište (unmarked)
ExpertHiking
Manito Lake

Stožac Ridge: Manito jezero – Plandište (unmarked)

10.3 km↑ 673 m4–5½ h

Plan Your Visit

Weather & Useful Info

By Car

The monastery is on the E65/E80 (M-2) main road Podgorica – Kolašin, through the Morača Canyon. From Kolašin about 24 km (about 35 min drive), from Podgorica about 46 km (about 1 h drive through the canyon, via Platije). Parking is free right by the monastery.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Podgorica (TGD), about 50 km away. From the airport, reach the monastery by car along the E65/E80 highway towards Kolašin; the drive takes about 1 hour.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is most pleasant from April to October, when the canyon is passable and the surroundings are green. For a quieter visit choose spring or autumn; on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on 28 August worshippers come, so it is livelier then.

The monastery is on the E65/E80 main road between Podgorica and Kolašin. From Podgorica the drive takes about 1 hour through the Morača Canyon, and from Kolašin about 35 minutes; parking is free by the monastery.

No official information about an entrance fee is published in the source; the monastery is active and visits are possible during the day. Respectful dress is recommended – covered shoulders and knees.

No official rule was found; taking photos outside is common, and inside the church follow the monks’ instructions. Avoid using flash.

Nearby are the Morača Canyon with Platije, the Mrtvica Canyon, the Svetigora Waterfall below the monastery, Kolašin, and Biogradska Gora National Park.

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Around here

Nearby places

Kolašin
City · 12 km

Kolašin

A mountain town in northern Montenegro, at the foot of Bjelasica, with 45 km of ski slopes and Biogradska gora National Park nearby.

Manito Lake
Lake · 13 km

Manito Lake

Manito Lake is a small glacial lake on Mount Lukavica, at 1,773 m a.s.l., 220 m long and 13 m deep, known for its clear dark-green water.

Kapetanovo jezero
Lake · 14 km

Kapetanovo jezero

A glacial lake at 1,678 m elevation, crystal clear green in colour, rich in fish and surrounded by mountain peaks.

Biogradska Gora National Park
National Park · 24 km

Biogradska Gora National Park

Montenegro's smallest national park preserves a primeval forest reserve up to 500 years old on Mount Bjelasica.

Bukumirsko jezero
Lake · 22 km

Bukumirsko jezero

A glacial lake in the Kuči Mountains, 210 m long and 17 m deep, situated at 1,448 m above sea level, approximately 50 km from Podgorica.

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