Treskavec Monastery

About ten kilometers from Prilep, in the arms of the massive rocks of  Zlatovrv, there is the church Mother of God's Ascending, which with the dormitory shelters and the dining room of the Treskavec Monastery, provide God's energy and spiritual tranquility to this wonderful picturesque area.


The highland offers a clear view of all Pelagonija Plane, the mountains Pelister, Babuna and Kajmakcalan. The evening street lights in all parts of Prilep witness different events of the inhabitants of Prilep, Bitola and Krusevo.


Treskavec Monastery is believed to have been built in the 13th Century, during the rule of the Byzantine emperors Andronic II and Mihailo III who, according to the writings on the frescoes at the entrance gate, were the first donors to this monastery.

Its complex and diversified architecture points to the fact that the monastery was subjected to tearing down. Most probably, the monastery was renovated in the 14th Century, during the time of the Serb king Milutin.


The frescoes in the Church of St.Mary Mother of God (Македонски: Света Богородица), date from different periods. The oldest ones are on the walls of the two towers from the 15th Century. They illustrate themes of the calendar and of saints presented in full size. 

The portraits of the monastery founders, placed on the east wall of the south porch, were painted in the second half of the 14th Century. The picture of the Mother of God is painted in the nisa of the south door of the naos. According to the painting technique, this fresco belongs to the period of the 15th Century.


The naos is enriched with frescoes that were made towards the end of the 15th Century. The frescoes in the first zone are particularly interesting. The depict figures of standing saints in full natural size. They are dressed in noblemen's' clothes and wear richly decorated hats on their heads.


The frescoes were made by the hands of the Krusevo painting group from the 19th century are most remarkable.

Treskavec Monastery has other valuable artifacts. Most remarkable among them are the ones made in shallow wood carving: the two wing doors and the Emperor's Gate from the 16th Century, then the Kosmitos Cross from the 17th Century. It is worth mentioning the choir seats, the numerous holiday icons and the icons of the Apostles from the 17th and 18th Century.


People have been telling the legend of how Treskavec monastery came to life. It has a great religious and cultural significance. It says that on the day in honour of St. Mary Mother of God, the people from Prilep and Varosh, were all gathered in the little Church called Prichesta to celebrate the holy day. While the service was still going on a laud crash was heard hitting the monastery. 

The next mourning, the most courageous men of the village armed well and went to see what had happened. When they entered the monastery, they saw a murdered beast over the bones of the monks. After that event, the people reconstructed the monastery and continued to serve their religion like before. From that time on, the monastery was called Treskavec (crash place), because of the loud crash that was heard in it a long time ago.

Source: culture.org.mk