Bigorski Monastery St John the Baptist — Attraction in Municipality of Mavrovo and Rostusha

The Bigorski Monastery of St. John the Baptist is a renowned Orthodox monastery nestled in the picturesque surroundings of North Macedonia. Situated near the village of Rostuša, in the lush forests of the Bistra Mountain, this monastery is celebrated for its spiritual significance, stunning architecture, and breathtaking natural setting.

The monastery was founded in the 11th century but underwent significant renovations and expansions in the 18th century, resulting in the impressive complex that stands today. One of its most striking features is the ornate iconostasis, a masterpiece of Macedonian woodcarving adorned with intricate religious iconography.

Bigorski Monastery is particularly famous for its breathtaking frescoes, which cover the walls and ceilings of the monastery's interior. These frescoes, painted by prominent Macedonian artists, depict scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, religious motifs, and saints, showcasing the rich tradition of Orthodox iconography.

The monastery is also home to a relic believed to be a piece of the True Cross, adding to its spiritual significance and attracting pilgrims from across the region.

Surrounded by dense forests and overlooking the cascading waters of the Radika River, Bigorski Monastery offers a tranquil retreat for visitors seeking peace and spiritual reflection. The monastery's setting is ideal for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the Bistra Mountain, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts as well as those interested in religious history.

Bigorski Monastery remains an important cultural and religious landmark in North Macedonia, exemplifying the country's rich heritage and Orthodox Christian tradition. Its serene ambiance, stunning architecture, and sacred relics continue to inspire awe and reverence among visitors, making it a must-visit destination...

The Monastery of Sveti Jovan Bigorski / Saint John the Baptist - Bigorski is one of the most valuable perls of Macedonian Orthodox Church. It is located in the western part of North Macedonia, by the road from Mavrovo to Debar. The monastery church belongs to the oldest preserved churches in Macedonia, built in 1020. The Ottomans destroyed the monastery in the 16th century. It was restored in 1743 by the monk Ilarion, who also constructed a number of cells for monks. The monastery was further expanded between 1812 and 1825 by the archimandrite Arsenius and later by monk Iov, recognized by some researchers as educator Yoakim Krchovski. This monastery church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist - Bigorski. One of its most valuable treasures is the iconostasis, created by Petre Filipov - Garkata, master wood carver artist from the nearby village of Gari. The Bigorski iconostasis is considered to be one of the finest examples of wood-carved iconostasis worldwide. Another valuable monastery treasure is an icon dating from 1020 with supposedly miraculous healing power. The monastery has a large collection of holy relics including John the Baptist, Clement of Ohrid, Lazarus of Bethany, Saint Stephen, Saint Nicholas, Saint Barbara, Paraskevi of Rome, Tryphon, Respicius, Nympha and part of the Holy Cross. There was a tragedy in 2009 when part of the monastery was destroyed in fire. The destroyed cultural heritage was reconstructed as close to the original as possible. First photos in this review are taken before the fire and contain authentic artefacts...

A place where God's blessing, mercy, love and peace can be felt. The prayers of the past and present generations of monks, the blessing of the relics of saints; the intercession of the patron of the monastery dedicated to St. John the Baptist; the services in the church at altogether spread the blessing, becalm aflaimed hearts and raise the spirit to praise and honor God. Here you can enjoy the benefits from the beautiful services, buy holy water, books and many other things prepared by the monks. You can also enjoy the spectacular view over the surrounding nature, and on your leave, you can taste mouthwatering, tasty and perfectly prepared food in the restaurant below the monastery, The House of Myjaks, which is another beauty itself. A clean, nice and tidy one, with very satisfying service. Highly...