The monastery was founded in the 17th century by St Basil of Ostrog, a Metropolitan of Herzegovina who died here in 1671. His relics are kept in the cave Church of the Presentation and draw pilgrims of all faiths seeking healing and blessings, making Ostrog one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the Balkans. After a fire destroyed much of the complex, it was rebuilt between 1923 and 1926, while the two small cave churches survived, preserving their old frescoes painted directly onto the rock.
The complex has two parts. The Lower Monastery, with the Church of the Holy Trinity built in 1824, houses most of the monks’ quarters, while the Upper Monastery clings to the cliff. Many pilgrims walk the steep path of about 3 km between them, some barefoot. Visitors should dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and expect queues at weekends and on St Basil’s feast day, 12 May.
Even for non-religious travellers, the setting and atmosphere make Ostrog an unforgettable visit.
