Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All North Macedonia Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery
AO Edited

Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery

St. John the Baptist's forearm is housed in this remote 11th-century monastery.

Rostushe, North Macedonia

Added By
mdimitar
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery   BrankaVV / CC BY-SA 4.0
  mdimitar / Atlas Obscura User
  mdimitar / Atlas Obscura User
  mdimitar / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Bigorski Monastery is a historic Orthodox monastery located in the western part of North Macedonia, nestled in the mountains of the Mavrovo National Park. Founded in 1020, it is one of the most important religious and cultural landmarks in the country.

The first Archbishop of Ohrid, John of Debar, founded the monastery after, legend has it, he was miraculously presented with an icon of St. John the Baptist in the surrounding woods. Renowned for its beautiful architecture and rich artistic heritage, the monastery's church is decorated with intricate frescoes and icons, many of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. It's also here that a relic of supposedly St. John's forearm is kept. 

The monastery is also home to a valuable collection of rare manuscripts and books that provide insights into the history of the monastery and the region.

The Bigorski Monastery has faced numerous challenges throughout its long history, including fires, earthquakes, and war. During communist rule, the monastery fell into disrepair; after which, it was painstakingly restored. 

Today, the Bigorski Monastery continues to attract visitors from around the world. Its peaceful and serene atmosphere provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and its perch high in the mountains offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

In addition to its religious significance, the monastery also serves as a cultural hub for the region, hosting a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including traditional music concerts, art exhibits, and cultural celebrations.

Overall, the Bigorski Monastery is a testament to the enduring power of faith and culture. Its beauty and historical significance makes it a must-see destination for anyone visiting North Macedonia.

Related Tags

Saints Libraries Medieval Churches Relics And Reliquaries Relics Monasteries

Community Contributors

Added By

mdimitar

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

April 20, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.lonelyplanet.com/macedonia/western-macedonia/mavrovo-national-park/attractions/sveti-jovan-bigorski-monastery/a/poi-sig/1039430/360138
Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery
Rostushe, 1254
North Macedonia
41.621182, 20.609424
Visit Website

Nearby Places

St Nicholas Church - Mavrovo

Mavrovo, North Macedonia

miles away

Xhamia e Larme

Tetovo, North Macedonia

miles away

Spaç Prison

Kodër Spaç, Albania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Macedonia

North Macedonia

Europe

Places 22
Stories 2

Nearby Places

St Nicholas Church - Mavrovo

Mavrovo, North Macedonia

miles away

Xhamia e Larme

Tetovo, North Macedonia

miles away

Spaç Prison

Kodër Spaç, Albania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Macedonia

North Macedonia

Europe

Places 22
Stories 2

Related Places

  • A church altar of sculpted amber saints that seems to float at the front of the church

    Gdańsk, Poland

    St. Bridget's Church

    One of the world's largest amber altarpieces is housed within this reconstructed medieval church.

  • Reliquary

    London, England

    Hand of St. Etheldreda

    One of the oldest remaining Catholic churches in England is home to the hand of a 7th-century saint.

  • Naples, Italy

    Lipsanothecae of the Chapel of Saint Francesco de Geronimo

    The relics of dozens of martyrs are stored in a single chapel.

  • Santa Caterina del Sasso

    Leggiuno, Italy

    Santa Caterina del Sasso

    This monastery built into a cliff hides a perfectly preserved hermit in a glass coffin.

  • The reliquary containing the arm of St. Thomas Aquinas.

    Naples, Italy

    The Arm of St. Thomas Aquinas

    The remains of the left arm of the levitating philosopher-saint are kept in a 13th-century Neapolitan basilica.

  • The Shrine of Oliver Plunkett.

    Drogheda, Ireland

    St. Oliver Plunkett's Head

    The severed head of a 17th-century Irish martyr lies within an intricate golden shrine.

  • Exterior, arches

    Chennai, India

    San Thome Basilica

    This Gothic-style church is reputedly built atop the remains of one of Jesus's apostles.

  • The Head of St. John the Baptist in 2001.

    Amiens, France

    The Head of St. John the Baptist at Amiens Cathedral

    The encased skull that is widely believed to belong to St. John the Baptist.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.