Location and Surroundings
Nestled in the village of Mokri Lug, approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Bijelo Polje, Monastery Podvrh stands on a scenic plateau between the rocky hill called Vrh and the left bank of the Bistrica River. Overlooking the entrance to the breathtaking Đalovića Gorge, the monastery is reached by a winding mountain road, culminating at an altitude of about 770 meters.
Historical and Architectural Heritage
The monastery church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, dates back to the early 17th century. Modest yet distinctive, the church bears the appearance of a traditional rural house, featuring a high gabled roof covered with stone slabs and an open wooden porch at the entrance. Constructed from stone, plastered, and whitewashed, it blends harmoniously into its natural surroundings of rugged rocks, flowing water, and dense forest.
The western façade, crowned with a high triangular pediment, is adorned with frescoes depicting the Deesis, Christ’s parables, holy warriors, and the archangels Michael and Gabriel as guardians of the sacred space. Above the entrance, a niche holds a bust of Saint Nicholas, the church’s patron, positioned above a stone plaque that attests to the church’s foundation in 1606, during the tenure of Archbishop Jovan of Peć.
Interior and Iconostasis
One of the church’s most intriguing features is its hidden dome, visible only from within. The beautifully carved and gilded wooden iconostasis, though modest in size (2.30 m x 4.40 m), exudes a sense of grandeur. Created in 1665 by master Jovan Kozma, it represents his final known work, later completed by his apprentice Radul, marking his first recorded masterpiece. An inscription on the iconostasis notes that it was crafted through the dedication and financial support of Despina Pićinova from Ćićići.
Spiritual Legacy and Relics
Monastery Podvrh is revered for housing a sacred relic—a portion of the remains of Saint Hieromartyr Charalampius—solidifying its importance as a site of pilgrimage and spiritual refuge.
