{tab=highlights}

Crna Reka Monastery

South of Novi Pazar, down the road that goes to village Banje in Kosovo, lies the Crna Rijeka (Black River) Monastery. If you’re coming by car, go through the village of Ribarice so that the lake stays to your left, and the mosque to your right side, and follow the macadam road uphill until you reach the monastery dormitory.
crna rijeka monastery
There is a daily bus going from Novi Pazar to Ribarice, leaving Novi Pazar at 03.00 pm. When you arrive to Ribarice, cross the bridge and follow the macadam road going uphill. After about an hour’s walk you’ll reach the new monastery dormitory (still under construction), then an old water tap that will stay to your left side, and finally the monastery itself.

The monastery is built inside a cave system, on four levels, located within a steep rocky cliff that can only be reached by crossing a narrow wooden bridge. The first thing that catches the eye is a couple of covered terraces that seem to be hanging from the vertical rock. However, the main church is inside, in a spacious cave hall.

The cliff in front of the monastery is actually a canyon made by a river that used to be called White, and whose name was changed, according to a legend, by St. Joanikija. She was looking for her brother there and couldn’t find him, so she changed the river’s name from White into Black River.
crna rijeka monastery
The first mention of the monastery in written documents is dated from the 13th century. The cave was painted by famous fresco-painter Longin, in the 16th century. Frescoes are well preserved.

The church hosts the relics of St. Peter Koriski that are said to have miraculous powers, capable of healing diseases and bodily impediments. Under the reliquiary there is a rug for the ill persons to lie on. This church used to be the home of the famous ascetic monk St. Joanikie Devicki.

New dormitory is under construction, so it probably hasn't opened yet, but you can stay a night in the old one, provided that you get the blessing from the head monk.

{/tabs}