Heritage

Kovilje monastery is situated in Smiljevac village on Golija mountain. It is named after kovilje (Feather Grass), the plant that covered surrounding hills for centuries. Given its strange leaves, locals used to contribute mystical characteristics to this “fairy grass”. Thus, it is believed that there must have been some ancient pagan sanctuary here previously that preserved the name throughout history.

The same name was thus given to the monastery that houses two churches, one of which is built into the cave. This one dates back to the 12th century. The second one was erected during the 17th century.