Duži Monastery, Trebinje

Duži Monastery, a peaceful convent among the trees, founded in the late 17th century, with frescoes by Russian monks.

In the late 17th century a small church with a few outbuildings stood on the site of today's monastery, used by the monks of Tvrdoš. When the Venetians destroyed Tvrdoš in 1694, part of the brotherhood moved to Duži, bringing relics and the monastery's feast, the Dormition of the Mother of God.

Until the Patriarchate of Peć was abolished in 1776, Duži was the seat of the Metropolitan of Herzegovina. After the First World War Russian monks, exiles from imperial Russia, lived here and painted the monastery's frescoes.

When Tvrdoš was restored in 1992, Duži took back its original feast, the Protection of the Mother of God. Today it is a convent surrounded by gardens and quiet, not far from Tvrdoš, so both monasteries fit easily into one afternoon.

Getting there

West of the town, a few kilometres past Tvrdoš Monastery.

You will need a car or taxi.

• Combine it with Tvrdoš
• Dress modestly for a monastery visit