June 18, 2025 • 12 mins
In this episode of Global Treasures, we cover the majestic Stari Ras and Sopoćani, located in Serbia. It was the first capital of Serbia, containing monasteries and churches of historic significance. Join us as we discuss the history and travel tips for visiting this UNESCO world heritage site.
Support Our Sponsors and Affiliates to Make Your Trip Planning Easier at no extra cost to you!
Perfect Delights Dried Fruit: https://amzn.to/4kn3toK
Barvita (Code ABIGAILVACCA gets you 15% off your first order): https://barvita.co/?ref=ABIGAILVACCA
Trip.com: https://trip.tp.st/J7PT7LG2
Follow Global Treasures on Social Media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093258132336
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Abigail (00:00):
Imagine a place that tells a story spanning centuries where
culture and nature intertwine tocreate something truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is GlobalTreasures, the podcast that covers
(00:20):
the history, travel tips, andlegends surrounding one of the 1,223
World Heritage sites each episode.
These places have been identifiedas having universal cultural or
natural significance that is soexceptional that it transcends national
(00:41):
boundaries and is of importanceto present and future generations.
Welcome to season two, wherewe'll explore the 45 sites that
UNESCO added in 1979 together.
Thank you for listening tothe Global Treasures Podcast.
We appreciate all of your support andyou continue to support us by subscribing
(01:06):
at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
You can also follow uson Tiktok and Facebook.
Please tell your friends about us as well.
Stari Ros and Sopocani is a vastcomplex located in Serbia that
includes churches and the archeologicalsite of the medieval town of Raz.
(01:27):
To make things less complicated
I'll break them down one at atime, starting with Sopocani.
The wind murmurs through thevalleys of the Raz region, carrying
the echoes of a distant past.
Once the very heart of the Serbianmedieval state bore witness to the
ambition of King Stefan Eros the first.
(01:51):
It was his vision, his endowment that gaverise to the magnificent Sopocani monastery
between the years of 1259 and 1270.
Artisans guided the steady riseof stone upon stone dedicated
to their king's desires.
(02:12):
The jewel of this complex wasthe church of the Holy Trinity.
Its very existence meant asan offering to the divine.
Imagine, then, a busy monasticcommunity surrounding this sacred space.
Residential buildings hummed withthe quiet rhythm of monastic life.
(02:34):
A center of learning and devotionnestled within the embrace of the
Serbian Kingdom, a high stone wallencircled the sanctuary, encasing them
against the uncertainties of time.
The vibrant tapestry of the largermonastery complex has faded.
Yet, the Church of the Holy Trinitystill remains its worn walls whisper
(02:57):
tales of its celebrated past.
A tribute to the enduring spiritof a place that once stood as the
center of a powerful medieval state.
Though the surrounding buildingshave yielded to time, the essence
and legacy of Sopocani continues toresonate within its sacred church.
(03:18):
The Church of the Holy Trinity stood asa landmark for religion and artistry.
Within its walls are frescos that even noware hailed as some of the most exquisite
examples of Serbian medieval art.
The vibrant hues and meticulousdetail brought to life scenes of
Christian devotion and reveredfigures of national saints.
(03:42):
A colorful tale painted directly ontothe very structure of the church.
These works echo Byzantineartistic traditions and denote a
sophisticated cultural perspective.
In the 16th century, the Ottoman Empirebecame a threat and forced the monks
of Sopocani to temporarily abandontheir cherished sanctuary seeking
(04:07):
refuge from the encroaching threat.
In the year 1689, a haunting chapterbegan in the Monastery's history.
Ottoman Turks set fire to the complex.
Flames engulfed the ancientwalls, and the lead from the
roof of the church was stolen.
Yet in the thick of the pandemonium,the loyal monks managed to pluck
(04:32):
a few relics and flee to Kosovo.
For over 200 years, the Church of theHoly Trinity remained deserted while
the elements began to take their toll.
The strength of its originalconstruction allowed it to endure.
The 20th century broughtan era of revival.
(04:52):
The Call of Faith produceda new generation of monks.
The reverberating sound of hymnsreplacing the quiet, the depictions
of Christian and national Saintsstill vivid despite the passage of
time, continue to draw admiration.
Notably, the icons of Sopocani helda special significance, reflecting a
(05:15):
matriarchal ideology that focused onthe life and death of the Virgin Mary.
Among these masterpieces is the dormissionof the mother of God, painted in 1265.
It's a moving and celebrated pieceof work, evidence of the enduring
power and beauty of Sopocani's art.
(05:37):
The second half of this UNESCOsite is nestled near the
modern city of Novi Pazar.
Stari Ros, an ancient fortress thatholds centuries of Balkan history.
Once part of the first Bulgarian empireuntil the 10th century, old Raz rose
(05:58):
to prominence in the mid 12th centuryas one of the earliest capitals of the
Grand Principality and Kingdom of Serbia.
In the center of old Serbia, it was avital crossroads, linking Bosnia to the
west and Kosovo to the south, making itan axis of trade and political power.
(06:19):
Encircled by fortifications, thesite also houses the Church of the
Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, a 10thcentury gem and one of the oldest
surviving medieval churches in Serbia.
Declared a monument of culture, ofexceptional importance, this sacred
place was dedicated to St. George.
(06:40):
Its very walls saturatedwith a story of salvation.
It goes that Nemanja a leader whofound himself unjustly imprisoned
with in dungeon caves, a casualtyof his own brother's scheme.
In his darkest hours, he turned hisprayers to St. George begging for
(07:01):
divine intervention, and as fatewould have it, emancipation came.
In profound gratitude, Nemanja erecteda church in honor of his savior.
It was a unique architectural expressionof a king's sincere gratitude.
Much like Sopocani, as the centuriesprogressed, erosion became an issue.
(07:24):
The restoration works were undertakenwith every effort made to use
original materials, ensuring thatthe spirit and authenticity of
Nemanja's vision remained unscathed.
Today the site stands as aremarkable example of preservation.
It's a building with architecturalingenuity, artistic brilliance, profound
(07:49):
archeological and historical significance.
Together, these elements form apowerful reminder of the region's
rich, spiritual and cultural heritage.
For those planning on visitingthese incredible places, here's
some information about logisticsand other tips you may find helpful.
(08:11):
If you're flying in from anothercountry, you likely will want to
use Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.
From there, you can take atrain from Belgrade Airport to
Rosca, then a bus to Novi Pazar.
You can actually walkto St. Peter from town.
However, renting a car isideal if you plan to explore
(08:33):
other parts of the country.
There is parking nearby to the sites.
Or again, if you plan to take abus to the site, know you'll have
to walk a half a mile or more.
Sopocani and Stari Ros are a two anda half hour trek from one another, so
walking between them isn't an optionunless you're really motivated to do so.
(08:55):
No tickets are neededand there's no website.
When you enter the church, be aware thatyou may enter during a church service.
The sites have very little signage,though some are in English and Serbian.
It's why I wanted to do a deeper dive intothe history in case you don't take a tour.
Tours aren't incredibly expensiveand they can arrange for hotel pickup
(09:20):
and transport between Sopocani andStari Ros, so it may be worth it.
If you decide to visit theseplaces independently, your hotel
may be able to help you get ataxi if you don't rent a car.
The ride share options we're familiarwith in North America and parts of
Europe aren't available in Serbia.
(09:40):
The best times of the year tovisit using weather as your
guide is spring and summer.
Serbia has cold winters andwarm summers with highs in the
seventies degree Fahrenheit.
Novi Pazar is the closest city tothe sites and it has hotels, home
stay options, and some restaurants.
(10:01):
Novi Pazar center has an Ottomanfountain that is a replica of
a fountain in Sarajevo, Bosniathat you may wanna check out.
Isa Beg Hamam, a 15th century Turkishbathhouse that is now surrounded by local
businesses is worth passing by as well.
If you rent a car, take a trek to goto the forest area of Ugao if you're
(10:27):
like me and enjoy some dark tourism.
It's believed by locals thatthe forested area is haunted.
It is about an hour awayand is quite beautiful.
There are links in the show notesto help make planning for your
trip easier from tickets, bookinghotels, renting cars, and more.
(10:48):
Oh, and I would be remiss if Ididn't briefly touch on the cuisine.
Food shapes our cultural experiencesand helps us understand new
cultures on an emotional level.
Urnebes is one dish thatis incredibly unique.
It's a spread made from whitecheese, kajmak, which is also a
(11:09):
cheese made from cow, sheep orgoats milk and chili peppers.
It's often served as a side dishwith grilled meat, but it is
definitely not for the spice averse.
Whether you're looking forward tolearning more about the history or
trying the food, the rugged landscapeof Serbia holds a UNESCO site that is
(11:31):
a testament to a royal's emancipationand a unique architectural vision.
Join us for our next episode,where we'll cover a UNESCO World
Heritage site named Tchoga Zanbil,an ancient elamite complex in Iran.
Come learn about the history, legends,and travel tips for this incredible place.
(11:56):
Until then, keep exploring, keepwondering, and keep treasuring
the remarkable diversityof our world's heritage.
Imagine a place that tells a story spanning centuries where
culture and nature intertwine tocreate something truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is GlobalTreasures, the podcast that covers
(00:20):
the history, travel tips, andlegends surrounding one of the 1,223
World Heritage sites each episode.
These places have been identifiedas having universal cultural or
natural significance that is soexceptional that it transcends national
(00:41):
boundaries and is of importanceto present and future generations.
Welcome to season two, wherewe'll explore the 45 sites that
UNESCO added in 1979 together.
Thank you for listening tothe Global Treasures Podcast.
We appreciate all of your support andyou continue to support us by subscribing
(01:06):
at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean.
You can also follow uson Tiktok and Facebook.
Please tell your friends about us as well.
Stari Ros and Sopocani is a vastcomplex located in Serbia that
includes churches and the archeologicalsite of the medieval town of Raz.
(01:27):
To make things less complicated
I'll break them down one at atime, starting with Sopocani.
The wind murmurs through thevalleys of the Raz region, carrying
the echoes of a distant past.
Once the very heart of the Serbianmedieval state bore witness to the
ambition of King Stefan Eros the first.
(01:51):
It was his vision, his endowment that gaverise to the magnificent Sopocani monastery
between the years of 1259 and 1270.
Artisans guided the steady riseof stone upon stone dedicated
to their king's desires.
(02:12):
The jewel of this complex wasthe church of the Holy Trinity.
Its very existence meant asan offering to the divine.
Imagine, then, a busy monasticcommunity surrounding this sacred space.
Residential buildings hummed withthe quiet rhythm of monastic life.
(02:34):
A center of learning and devotionnestled within the embrace of the
Serbian Kingdom, a high stone wallencircled the sanctuary, encasing them
against the uncertainties of time.
The vibrant tapestry of the largermonastery complex has faded.
Yet, the Church of the Holy Trinitystill remains its worn walls whisper
(02:57):
tales of its celebrated past.
A tribute to the enduring spiritof a place that once stood as the
center of a powerful medieval state.
Though the surrounding buildingshave yielded to time, the essence
and legacy of Sopocani continues toresonate within its sacred church.
(03:18):
The Church of the Holy Trinity stood asa landmark for religion and artistry.
Within its walls are frescos that even noware hailed as some of the most exquisite
examples of Serbian medieval art.
The vibrant hues and meticulousdetail brought to life scenes of
Christian devotion and reveredfigures of national saints.
(03:42):
A colorful tale painted directly ontothe very structure of the church.
These works echo Byzantineartistic traditions and denote a
sophisticated cultural perspective.
In the 16th century, the Ottoman Empirebecame a threat and forced the monks
of Sopocani to temporarily abandontheir cherished sanctuary seeking
(04:07):
refuge from the encroaching threat.
In the year 1689, a haunting chapterbegan in the Monastery's history.
Ottoman Turks set fire to the complex.
Flames engulfed the ancientwalls, and the lead from the
roof of the church was stolen.
Yet in the thick of the pandemonium,the loyal monks managed to pluck
(04:32):
a few relics and flee to Kosovo.
For over 200 years, the Church of theHoly Trinity remained deserted while
the elements began to take their toll.
The strength of its originalconstruction allowed it to endure.
The 20th century broughtan era of revival.
(04:52):
The Call of Faith produceda new generation of monks.
The reverberating sound of hymnsreplacing the quiet, the depictions
of Christian and national Saintsstill vivid despite the passage of
time, continue to draw admiration.
Notably, the icons of Sopocani helda special significance, reflecting a
(05:15):
matriarchal ideology that focused onthe life and death of the Virgin Mary.
Among these masterpieces is the dormissionof the mother of God, painted in 1265.
It's a moving and celebrated pieceof work, evidence of the enduring
power and beauty of Sopocani's art.
(05:37):
The second half of this UNESCOsite is nestled near the
modern city of Novi Pazar.
Stari Ros, an ancient fortress thatholds centuries of Balkan history.
Once part of the first Bulgarian empireuntil the 10th century, old Raz rose
(05:58):
to prominence in the mid 12th centuryas one of the earliest capitals of the
Grand Principality and Kingdom of Serbia.
In the center of old Serbia, it was avital crossroads, linking Bosnia to the
west and Kosovo to the south, making itan axis of trade and political power.
(06:19):
Encircled by fortifications, thesite also houses the Church of the
Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, a 10thcentury gem and one of the oldest
surviving medieval churches in Serbia.
Declared a monument of culture, ofexceptional importance, this sacred
place was dedicated to St. George.
(06:40):
Its very walls saturatedwith a story of salvation.
It goes that Nemanja a leader whofound himself unjustly imprisoned
with in dungeon caves, a casualtyof his own brother's scheme.
In his darkest hours, he turned hisprayers to St. George begging for
(07:01):
divine intervention, and as fatewould have it, emancipation came.
In profound gratitude, Nemanja erecteda church in honor of his savior.
It was a unique architectural expressionof a king's sincere gratitude.
Much like Sopocani, as the centuriesprogressed, erosion became an issue.
(07:24):
The restoration works were undertakenwith every effort made to use
original materials, ensuring thatthe spirit and authenticity of
Nemanja's vision remained unscathed.
Today the site stands as aremarkable example of preservation.
It's a building with architecturalingenuity, artistic brilliance, profound
(07:49):
archeological and historical significance.
Together, these elements form apowerful reminder of the region's
rich, spiritual and cultural heritage.
For those planning on visitingthese incredible places, here's
some information about logisticsand other tips you may find helpful.
(08:11):
If you're flying in from anothercountry, you likely will want to
use Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.
From there, you can take atrain from Belgrade Airport to
Rosca, then a bus to Novi Pazar.
You can actually walkto St. Peter from town.
However, renting a car isideal if you plan to explore
(08:33):
other parts of the country.
There is parking nearby to the sites.
Or again, if you plan to take abus to the site, know you'll have
to walk a half a mile or more.
Sopocani and Stari Ros are a two anda half hour trek from one another, so
walking between them isn't an optionunless you're really motivated to do so.
(08:55):
No tickets are neededand there's no website.
When you enter the church, be aware thatyou may enter during a church service.
The sites have very little signage,though some are in English and Serbian.
It's why I wanted to do a deeper dive intothe history in case you don't take a tour.
Tours aren't incredibly expensiveand they can arrange for hotel pickup
(09:20):
and transport between Sopocani andStari Ros, so it may be worth it.
If you decide to visit theseplaces independently, your hotel
may be able to help you get ataxi if you don't rent a car.
The ride share options we're familiarwith in North America and parts of
Europe aren't available in Serbia.
(09:40):
The best times of the year tovisit using weather as your
guide is spring and summer.
Serbia has cold winters andwarm summers with highs in the
seventies degree Fahrenheit.
Novi Pazar is the closest city tothe sites and it has hotels, home
stay options, and some restaurants.
(10:01):
Novi Pazar center has an Ottomanfountain that is a replica of
a fountain in Sarajevo, Bosniathat you may wanna check out.
Isa Beg Hamam, a 15th century Turkishbathhouse that is now surrounded by local
businesses is worth passing by as well.
If you rent a car, take a trek to goto the forest area of Ugao if you're
(10:27):
like me and enjoy some dark tourism.
It's believed by locals thatthe forested area is haunted.
It is about an hour awayand is quite beautiful.
There are links in the show notesto help make planning for your
trip easier from tickets, bookinghotels, renting cars, and more.
(10:48):
Oh, and I would be remiss if Ididn't briefly touch on the cuisine.
Food shapes our cultural experiencesand helps us understand new
cultures on an emotional level.
Urnebes is one dish thatis incredibly unique.
It's a spread made from whitecheese, kajmak, which is also a
(11:09):
cheese made from cow, sheep orgoats milk and chili peppers.
It's often served as a side dishwith grilled meat, but it is
definitely not for the spice averse.
Whether you're looking forward tolearning more about the history or
trying the food, the rugged landscapeof Serbia holds a UNESCO site that is
(11:31):
a testament to a royal's emancipationand a unique architectural vision.
Join us for our next episode,where we'll cover a UNESCO World
Heritage site named Tchoga Zanbil,an ancient elamite complex in Iran.
Come learn about the history, legends,and travel tips for this incredible place.
(11:56):
Until then, keep exploring, keepwondering, and keep treasuring
the remarkable diversityof our world's heritage.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!