Hermitage of Saint Sava

The Church of the Virgin’s Protection, also known as the Hermitage of Saint Sava or “Lower Hermitage,” is located near the Studenica Monastery and represents an extremely significant place for Serbian history and spirituality. It is believed that Saint Sava, or Sava Nemanjić, the first Serbian archbishop and saint, resided in this small cell, deeply embedded in the rocks near the monastery complex. The architectural characteristics of the hermitage reflect simplicity and an ascetic approach, with modest dimensions and a rectangular base carved into the rock, containing a nave and sanctuary with two niches, an iconostasis, a church seat, and a basement room used as an ossuary. The frescoes adorning the interior were painted by Georgije Mitrofanović, and the renowned painter Aleksije Lazović restored them around 1815 when he also painted the iconostasis.

It was declared a cultural monument of exceptional significance in 1983.

Our team of experts successfully carried out conservation and restoration work on the tower, basement, and approach to the hermitage. We reconstructed the wooden bridge leading to the hermitage, worked on the existing bell tower, and built a space for candle lighting, carefully designed to blend into the ambiance of this special place while preserving its authenticity.