Touring the "Crown Jewel" of Kosovo

[00:00:00]But you see also these sculptures are very unusual. It is western art completely western art. This uh these are mythical figures, animals, human figures more than 150 all different.

[00:00:13]And above the windows and doors are fish symbols. This is flowerish cross which is symbol of resurrection life coming from the grave.

[00:00:22]But also you see Santor was and this mythical figures from Greek mythology >> and you see the stone how it's consumed >> church was in use for seven century >> all those years people stepping the same thing like in Rome people literating just gone >> wisdom has built her house she has two pillars she has lot and she has Mr. Y.

[00:00:56][music] [music] She has also put her table. She has slip out her baby. She cries out the highest place to [music] see. Whoever will let him turn and hear. As for him who laughs, she says it has come. Eat of my bread. I drink of the wine I command.

[00:01:19]But for them to live and go [music] away from understanding [music] same stone you can see the floor onx these two columns are only pieces of onx one piece of stone 6 m high up they were very skillful stonemasons king brought Roman Roman Catholics dominance from Montenegrian sees >> and it was not unusual for for this.

[00:01:54]This is the family tree.

[00:02:00]This church and uh this central thing is relative who is father of king Stefan he built the Chinese mon you visited no >> yes >> yes yes of course today so he found monastery also many other churches church in prison site monastery he was buried in all his churches you saw but he was buried after and it was again western outside inside was turned to Moscow Turkish stronghold so almost completely destroyed his son was completely destroyed They always seem right.

[00:03:25]He has name around his head but it was not the sign that he was calling but it is just known because he was one of the founders of and they make him the same because he was still living. So you just like he was member of this holy family that's why and he also donated frescos were done in 10 years the building was was construction work lasted just 8 years from yeah all of this was was constructed also other buildings around the church >> eight years >> you can imagine how many workers king broke and stone mason Yeah.

[00:04:13]>> And and with such quality that glass from first seventh century >> even wooden beams are preserved from 14th century. This you see decorations or some ornaments and all these fresco you see it's it was very expensive and also they're using the best quality materials. Gold was And you see yellow and first of course about tradition new and old testament history of the church. We have here Christian which starts the church is dedicated to Jesus Christ and above his head starts Christian and goes in circles from top to down day by day. So each picture is a calendar the most famous verses and events in Christian history. In the ceiling are ecommenical councils of Christian fathers. We we published the book about theical cons. I don't know if if I sent to you PDF or not.

[00:05:27]I should like some paper but you see these colors in high levels are from this is also they came in Mexico it's been preserved >> even before it was clean in 20th century after after the second world war was taken care of all this is important cultural heritage but yeah some paintings were done but nothing was repainted just cleaning and conservation to fix it to the wall if something >> what is happening here >> yeah it's also actually western influence >> I [clears throat] asked one historian of art what is what is this so he explaining it is [clears throat] connected to to Jesus figure which is above on the gospel he holds it's written I'm the door who enters through me will find salvation so those who not entering this door is part of his feet as you can see he's just above. So those who are not entering the door of salvation are in from demons from spiritual beasts today and um yeah of course you know that the narics was used for categories for those who were not baptized they after after reading of the gospel and preachings they should leave main part and stay here they couldn't take part in with others.

[00:07:02]I will make it short. We can ask if you have some question because there are many details.

[00:07:12]This is very interesting of Jesus Christ holding a sword probably unique in the Christian world.

[00:07:19]Christ with a sword but it is written explanation close to his figure. It's written this sword is cutter of sins you know so spiritual sword which cuts off human sins.

[00:07:30]>> Wow.

[00:07:32]>> It's become um very popular over the last few years. People have reproduced it. But I was telling them this is the original.

[00:07:41]>> I don't know of any I've never seen or heard of any other one. This this is the first. This is >> Yeah. Yeah. There are some new churches with copies of of this. Yeah. But but from the old churches I also don't know if there is another one. Uh the bigger grave was of King Stefan which is empty now. His uh relics were found uncorrupted. You saw it in this 10 years after after the funeral and smaller of his sister Ellen. She was married to Bulgarian son Mikar Shishman later became nun and buried close to her brother by tradition. icons are new. We did like 10 years ago in our studio except this main part which is dedicated to Jesus is another figure of Jesus Christ on this wall. There is also chapel of St. Nicholas right side and chapel of St. Demetrius left side. So two additional small churches.

[00:08:46]Aistas of the virgin is starting there and goes also in this part start and s Nicholas life also illustrated [clears throat] here. Here we have 11 m high tree of Jesse old testament kings and prophets.

[00:09:05]See how many figures and details this is Jesse >> father but you said it was 10 years.

[00:09:12]behind spontaneous but several groups of painters were doing there is 4,000 square meters painted surface in the central vertical line are Jewish kings Jesse David Solomon and others and Jesus Christ on the top and right and left prophets and prophecies you see Elia Zafaria Gideon Balam the Baptist this is also center the Baptist Repent because the kingdom is coming.

[00:09:47]It's written.

[00:09:50]>> Oh, look. I realized it's pain.

[00:09:54]>> Yeah, it is. Yeah. [laughter] We done.

[00:09:56]Yeah. And some putting go around David's head and get down with >> the fleece. Yeah.

[00:10:11]>> [clears throat] >> So now we started this monastery first edition. This is this concept just the first book. Now we will continue with big feasts with holy judgment and life of Christ. It will be just about life of Christ. Three or four books miracles teachings passion in this walk around his passion of Christ. It starts in this small arch while preparing its imunique garden and then story goes in horizontal circles from top to bottom.

[00:10:49]Apostles will be also in the book. These are of apostles illustrated here which is very rare to see in other churches.

[00:10:58]You see this is conversion of Paul. He's there from Jerusalem to Damascus and his baptism. Oh, look. [laughter] Look. It's Paul.

[00:11:06]>> That's really rare. You've never seen >> that everywhere.

[00:11:10]>> It's really rare to see. Paul >> see St. Paul. You never see icons of St. Paul like that.

[00:11:16]>> Above is Apostle Philip preaching to Ethiopian >> about Christ and the papers in there.

[00:11:24]>> See, and this great open lady is of first Mart, but he is here. He was gone to death. is preaching about the above the arch and in the ceiling are are Peter and John the mission you see in front of the temple which looks like they >> Yeah to pursuit >> that's road to Damascus >> that's been brata's Yeah.

[00:12:01]>> And let him be baptized >> by anony.

[00:12:05]>> So that's what they [sighs] >> Yeah. [laughter] >> whole story is present and this is Constantine the great and his mother Ellen St. Nicholas, Paul Peter. Just above the door is an inscription about construction of the or not construction but painting of the church and bishop is mentioned of course but also both kings abort of the monastery and the date when it was done above is assumption of holy virgin Mary also you see very symbolic.

[00:12:36]She is presented as a baby. Christ holds his mother as a newborn in heaven. Yeah.

[00:12:43]And you see still what remains of world shine behind >> in higher levels up to the ceiling is holy judgment. Christ sitting in the throne and saints from all sides coming to him in the ceiling also angels to heaven with trumpets.

[00:13:03]Very good.

[00:13:07]And this is first first miracle kind of adding transforming water into wine.

[00:13:13]And other miracles goes to the alter.

[00:13:15]And also here you see the healing of the lepers by demons.

[00:13:22]>> I hope you've enjoyed the preview.

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