Visoki Decani Monastery
Visoki Decani Monastery
5
About
Dating back to the 14th century, this is the best-preserved Serbian monastery that represents an exceptional synthesis of Byzantine and Western medieval styles.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Visoki Decani Monastery
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
8 within 5 kms
Attractions
2 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
120 reviews
Excellent
100
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Ramona
Auckland Central, New Zealand640 contributions
Jul 2022
It is a beautiful place that has been well-maintained and kept as is. There are lots of people here for worship and pilgrimage. You should be wearing long pants (men) and cover your knees (women). I suggest you read a bit about what the location is about before visiting so you understand the significance. It is a tourist trap in a sense that you’ll need to pay €5 for entry.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mrc282
United States6,010 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
to enter, you need to surrender passport at the gate to the KFOR soldiers. this is a well guarded monastery but worth the trouble to visit.
google map did not pin the location of this monastery correctly. it is not anywhere near a traffic circle. just follow road signs to monastery, then confirm by asking the locals where this place is.
google map did not pin the location of this monastery correctly. it is not anywhere near a traffic circle. just follow road signs to monastery, then confirm by asking the locals where this place is.
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RobEnJolanda
Zeist, The Netherlands252 contributions
Sep 2021
The monastery is a true quiet retreat in the middle of Kosovo, and fairly quiet (due to Covid-19). The priest told us they could have up to 4 tour buses at the same time, making it a pretty busy place. We found it a true gem, and enjoyed the fresco's in a quiet way. Also this monastery is under guard of KFOR and they will hold your passport while visiting.
Written 24 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Riki
London, UK1 contribution
Jan 2021 • Solo
This is far from a serbian monastery. Shameful how they try to rewrite history and believe their own lies.
Written 2 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lazarodzak
Durham, NC16 contributions
Sep 2019
Located near the ancient town of Peć in the southern region of Kosovo, monastery Dečani was built in 1327AD by Serbian King Stefan Uroš III [1285-1331]. While the imposing, domed stone exterior is impressive, the interior is just breathtaking. Interior walls of the Monastery, from floor to its highest parts of the domed ceiling, are covered by exquisite and colorful frescoes and iconography, depicting biblical scenes, saints, and canonized members of the then ruling Serbian royal dynasty. Current Abbott, Father Sava, our gracious host and guide, informed us that the several thousand scenes and individual figures were painted by numerous iconographers and only completed in 1348. Later, the height of the monastery’s dome, especially when viewed from the central interior, earned it the adjective “Visoki” [high] – Visoki Dečani. Over the years, Visoki Dečani also collected an exceptionally valuable treasury of icons, ornamented liturgical artifacts, manuscripts, and furniture decorated with wood inlays.
While Visoki Dečani is nearly seven centuries old, the monks’ quarters ["konaks"] and other auxiliary buildings that surround it, date to various periods – some are quite modern and comfortable for current visitors. Visitors are welcomed warmly and we felt even more welcome as some of the monks, including Abbott Father Sava, speak very passable English. For this visitor, it was exciting, stimulating, and moving to see and enjoy this place of living history .
While Visoki Dečani is nearly seven centuries old, the monks’ quarters ["konaks"] and other auxiliary buildings that surround it, date to various periods – some are quite modern and comfortable for current visitors. Visitors are welcomed warmly and we felt even more welcome as some of the monks, including Abbott Father Sava, speak very passable English. For this visitor, it was exciting, stimulating, and moving to see and enjoy this place of living history .
Written 16 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
eatanddrinkandsleep
35 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
All you really need to know about the monastery itself has already been said in previous posts. It's an astonishing piece of architecture with a fascinating history and the most incredible frescoes.
Some things of note that I hadn't seen written here:
1. Long trousers are essential. You can buy (€1) robes similar to doctor's scrubs at the entrance gate, but not before being berated by the man there. Summers here are hot, so some sort of sarong or clothes to change into is advisable if you really don't want to spend that €1.
2. You need to take a passport to leave with the KFOR officers. This is returned to you at the end. In exchange, they give you a pass to enter.
3. You can only take photos of the building's exterior, and using only a phone, not a camera (this includes point-and-shoots). Again, the man told me forcefully about seven times not to use my camera, even though after the first time I said, "Sure, no problem" and put it away in my tote bag.
4. If walking from Decan town, it's an easy enough route from the main roundabout in town, though there are no pavements for most of it. The road is quiet, though, and reasonably wide.
Some things of note that I hadn't seen written here:
1. Long trousers are essential. You can buy (€1) robes similar to doctor's scrubs at the entrance gate, but not before being berated by the man there. Summers here are hot, so some sort of sarong or clothes to change into is advisable if you really don't want to spend that €1.
2. You need to take a passport to leave with the KFOR officers. This is returned to you at the end. In exchange, they give you a pass to enter.
3. You can only take photos of the building's exterior, and using only a phone, not a camera (this includes point-and-shoots). Again, the man told me forcefully about seven times not to use my camera, even though after the first time I said, "Sure, no problem" and put it away in my tote bag.
4. If walking from Decan town, it's an easy enough route from the main roundabout in town, though there are no pavements for most of it. The road is quiet, though, and reasonably wide.
Written 17 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Las Buganvillas
Cartagena, Colombia854 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
This monastery, one of the four in Kosovo and Methohija recognized by UNESCO as Common Heritage of Mankind, is a true marvel. What amazes as soon as you enter is first of all the enormous space on which paintings were made, and secondly, the extraordinary good condition in which they still exist. The monastery started the process of digitalization which will allow people all over the world to see these marvels of Serbian Renaissance and hopefully wish to see it in person.
Written 7 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kikona
California50 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
Simply one of the most beautiful places to see. Regardless of your religious affiliation (or lack of), this is a world treasure. To be able to walk in and see the centuries old frescos that adorn the walls and ceilings is an inspiring experience. Of course it isn’t on the scale of huge churches like the Aga Sophia of Istanbul, Peter’s in Rome or many of the Gothic cathedrals of Europe, but the intimacy of the building can be just as moving, if not more.
Written 19 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cosmic angel
Berlin, Germany114 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Nice place to see but hard to get - about 2 km from the bus stop on foot. Unless you travel by car, then its easy, parking in front. Take your ID or passport - you will be checked and asked to leave it by guards. Before you will pass one more security control on a road.
Super preserved interior. Highly recommending to spend some time there and explore it. Guy from administration will explain everything you need about it. Souvenir shop on site. WC. I was also invited for a coffee at their coffee bar. Possible to purchase a wifi access too. Nice gesture from administration and monks.
Super preserved interior. Highly recommending to spend some time there and explore it. Guy from administration will explain everything you need about it. Souvenir shop on site. WC. I was also invited for a coffee at their coffee bar. Possible to purchase a wifi access too. Nice gesture from administration and monks.
Written 26 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zsolt C
68 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
A religious and artistic World Cultural Heritage sight that must be visited once. It's a shame the local Albaninas do not really protect and promote it because it's a 700-year old wonderful Serbian Orthodox monastery protected by KFOR. ust visit, Take a cheap taxi from town.
Written 16 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aletto87
Bari, Italy29 contributions
Quanto tempo in media ci si dedica alla visita?
Diego W
49 contributions
Ciao, la duranta dipende da te. Premesso che devi lasciare i documenti al check point militare KFOR fuori dal monastero e che dentro non puoi portare macchine fotografiche, la durata dipende dall'antenzione che vuoi dedicare alla visita dell'interno, al fatto che se trovi padre Benedetto, monaco italiano, magari ti porta in giro e ti illustra tutto con la docuta calma, al fatto che magari c'è una funzione e la vuoi guardare almeno in parte, al fatto che vuoi fermarti a bere un caffè nella foresteria o dare un'occhiata allo shop. Diciamo da un minimo di un'ora in su. Noi ci siamo rimasti oltre tre ore. E penso proprio che ci torneremo.
Tom S
Deadwood, SD85 contributions
want to visit novi pazar afterwards - reccomendations on where to stay in the area?
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
VISOKI DECANI MONASTERY (Decan) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Visoki Decani Monastery
- We recommend booking Visoki Decani Monastery tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 13 Visoki Decani Monastery tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Visoki Decani Monastery:
- On the road of the three most beautiful monasteries of Kosovo (From €206.23)
- Balkan Tour (From €3,402.86)
- Kosovo’s highlights; Decan Monastery, Rugova Valley & Prizren (From €687.45)
- Visit Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro in a week (From €1,122.59)
- Explore the youngest country of Europe: Kosovo tour in seven days (From €1,427.78)
- Hotels near Visoki Decani Monastery:
- (0.14 km) Belle Resort
- (13.17 km) Hotel Dukagjini
- (12.90 km) Hostel Sarac
- (0.37 km) Hotel Banana Split
- (12.60 km) Hotel Camp Karagaq
- Restaurants near Visoki Decani Monastery:
- (0.05 km) Restaurant Medjana
- (0.13 km) Burger Time
- (0.13 km) Restaurant Online Hadergjonaj
- (0.15 km) Restaurant Ambienti
- (0.73 km) Pizzeria Aurora