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Monastery Ostrog
A holy place of Montenegro, important for Orthodox Christians from all over the world, the Ostrog Monastery is sheltered in the mountains near Nikšić and Danilovgrad. It was founded in the XVII century by St. Basil of Ostrog, whose remains rest in the monastery and considered miraculous. The monastery complex consists of the older upper part and the newer lower one. They are connected by a winding road, so narrow and dangerous in some places that the passage of large tourist buses is prohibited. Next to it is a hiking trail used by the most devout pilgrims. The upper part of the monastery is built into a rocky niche at the altitude of 900 meters above the sea level. This is the most picturesque part of the monastery, which has become one of the most important landmarks of Montenegro.
Before St. Basil of Ostrog, there was only a tiny church in the cave in the place of today’s monastery. The church has been preserved to this day and is called Vvedenskaya. St. Basil had to move to Ostrog from the outskirts of Nikšić because of the Turkish oppression. Having settled here, the Metropolitan renewed the existing church and built a new one, the Church of the Holy Cross. In 1671, St. Basil passed away in his monastic cell, and a vine sprouted from the rock next to it shortly afterward. It still curls on the walls of the monastery; it is customary to make wishes in front of the vine. Many tourists write them down on paper and leave them in the crevices of the walls.
The lower part of the monastery with the Church of the Holy Trinity was built in the middle of the XIX century. Nowadays, about ten novices live in the monastery. In addition to the remains of St. Basil of Ostrog, the relics of the new martyr Stanko are also an object of worship in the monastery. Presumably, at the beginning of the XVIII century 12 years old Stanko was brutally killed in this place by Turks for his refusal to adopt Islam. The undecayed hands of the young martyr, cut off by villains, are kept in the Church of the Holy Trinity. On the territory of the monastery, there is a spring, considered holy and healing.
Not only pilgrims will like Ostrog. It has amazing vibes of peace and tranquility, and from the territory of the monastery, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Zeta River valley. You can admire the panorama from everywhere, but there are several viewing decks built especially for tourists. There is a small recreation room at the monastery, where pilgrims can overnight for free. Women should follow the dress code when visiting Ostrog — it is not necessary to cover the head, but shoulders and knees should be hidden under clothing. Men should also look humble; it is inadvisable to visit the monastery in your beachwear.
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