Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
27 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
28 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
28 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
28 days ago

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 Kosovo Patriarchate of Peć

Patriarchate of Peć

A UNESCO-protected spiritual seat of the Old Serbian Kingdom and Empire.

Peja, Kosovo

Added By
Lana Velkov
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Adam Jones
  Adam Jones
  Miltonmanaki
  Konstantin Novakovic
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Patriarchate of Peć is an important religious and cultural institution in Kosovo. It is the historical seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church as well as the Old Serbian Kingdom and Empire, consisting of several medieval Serbian Orthodox monasteries, namely, the Church of the Holy Apostles, the Church of St. Demetrius, the Church of St. Nicolas and the Church of the Holy Mother of God Hodegetria. The entire complex is a gorgeous feast for the eyes and an absolute must-visit for those exploring the region.

The Patriarchate of Peć has a rich history dating back to the 13th century, when it became the center of religious and cultural life for the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian community. Since its foundations, it has played a crucial role in preserving Serbian culture, religious traditions, art, and manuscripts throughout various periods of turbulence and conflicts.The architectural style of the Patriarchate of Peć is primarily Serbo-Byzantine and reflects the influences of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. It is a unique gem in the sphere of Serbian Byzantine architecture. Each church in the complex displays its own unique architectural characteristics which are all worth seeing, with luscious colors of red and striking white elements.

As Kosovo went from being a Serbian region to a disputed territory, the Patriarchate of Peć has understandably faced challenges and disputes over its ownership and status. After the Kosovo War in the late 1990s, the Patriarchate came under the administration of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). There have been ongoing discussions and negotiations regarding the future status and protection of the site. It is a UNESCO-protected heritage site.

To sum up, the Patriarchate of Peć remains an important symbol of Serbian Orthodox heritage and spirituality today. It attracts both pilgrims and tourists, who come to admire its architectural beauty and explore its religious and historical significance. The complex continues to be a place of worship, where religious services and ceremonies are conducted by the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Related Tags

Architecture History Churches Monasteries

Community Contributors

Added By

Lana Velkov

Published

June 8, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Patriarchate of Peć
30000 Patrijasiska ulica
Peja
Kosovo
42.661101, 20.265651
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Visoki Dečani Monastery

Deçan, Kosovo

miles away

Crna Reka Monastery

Ribariće, Serbia

miles away

Ura e Terzive

Bishtazhin, Kosovo

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kosovo

Kosovo

Europe

Places 14

Nearby Places

Visoki Dečani Monastery

Deçan, Kosovo

miles away

Crna Reka Monastery

Ribariće, Serbia

miles away

Ura e Terzive

Bishtazhin, Kosovo

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kosovo

Kosovo

Europe

Places 14

Related Places

  • 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.

  • Altar and murals.

    Akhtala, Armenia

    Akhtala Monastery

    This often-missed monastery, set in a scenic mountain landscape, features unique frescoes, fortifications and legends.

  • Altar with its melted look

    Lisbon, Portugal

    Church of St. Dominic

    The scorched Lisbon church that survived two earthquakes and a massive fire.

  • A white church with four small turrets, two of which appear to twist

    Curtea de Argeș, Romania

    Curtea de Argeș Monastery

    According to a gruesome legend, an architect sacrificed his wife to build this spectacular, 16th-century cathedral.

  • Through the rusty bars to the abbey’s interior

    Sannicola, Italy

    Antica Abbazia di San Mauro (Abbey of San Mauro)

    This 10th-century seaside abbey holds spectacular views and a window into the past.

  • Antonito, Colorado

    El Santuario de los Pobladores

    Colorado's oldest church is now home to the largest handmade adobe labyrinth in the world.

  • The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is Northern Kentucky’s very own Notre Dame.

    Covington, Kentucky

    Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

    Northern Kentucky’s very own Notre Dame showcases intricate stained glass and the bones of saints.

  • Paintings on the outside of Suceviţa Monastery

    Sucevița, Romania

    Suceviţa Monastery

    This fortress-like monastery is covered with intricate frescoes.

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.