Ostrog Monastery

Ostrog Monastery is Montenegro's most renowned Orthodox Christian sanctuary, famous for its unique cliffside architecture and profound religious heritage. Perched approximately 900 meters above sea level on a vertical cliff in the Zeta River Valley, the monastery consists of two sections: the Upper Monastery (built in 1665 and embedded within a cave, housing exquisite frescoes - photography prohibited inside) and the Lower Monastery (constructed in the 18th century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary - currently closed to visitors). From afar, the white complex resembles a "Hanging Temple," visible for kilometers like a shining beacon. Founded in the 17th century by St. Basil of Ostrog, a Serbian Orthodox bishop and Montenegro's patron saint, the monastery enshrines his miraculously preserved relics. Legend states that seven years after his death, his exhumed body emitted a fragrant aroma before being transferred to the Upper Monastery for veneration. Annually attracting over a million visitors and pilgrims, some devotees even climb barefoot as an act of piety. Pilgrims often touch or kiss objects within the monastery and spread prayer blankets, believing these items absorb sacred power. The monastery gained international fame through the miraculous healing of former U.S. Congressman William B. after his spiritual retreat here. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as one of the Balkans' most significant religious landmarks, blending natural wonders with spiritual devotion.