Tuman Monastery
Braničevski okrug
Tuman Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery dating back to the 14th century, located in the Braničevo district near Golubac, Serbia. Nestled in the foothills of the Golubac mountains and surrounded by forest on the left bank of the Tuman River, it is dedicated to Saint Archangel Gabriel. According to local tradition, it was founded by the legendary Serbian hero Miloš Obilić. The monastery is renowned for its association with several historical healers, earning it the nickname "Ostrog on the Danube." The complex includes the main church built in the Serbian-Byzantine style, housing relics of Saint Zosima Sinaite and Saint Jacob the New. It also features large and small monastic residences, a chapel above the hermitage of Zosima Sinaite, and a recently added zoo park with various animals, enhancing its appeal for visitors. Since 2014, the monastery transitioned from a female to a male monastic community, which has contributed to its growing popularity as a pilgrimage and religious tourism site. The monastery hosts important religious events, including the annual celebration of Saint Zosima Tuman's relics, drawing numerous pilgrims. It is the largest monastery in the Braničevo administrative district and one of the most visited in Serbia in the 21st century due to its spiritual significance and healing reputation.
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Tip: The best time to visit Tuman Monastery is during religious feast days, especially the annual celebration of Saint Zosima Tuman on May 24, which includes a procession and relic ceremonies. Visitors are advised to book accommodation in the monastery guesthouse in advance through their official website. The monastery offers a peaceful environment ideal for spiritual retreats and healing pilgrimages. Modest donations and support for the monastery's upkeep are appreciated. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for visiting the hermitage about 1 km away. Check the monastery's official website for the latest service schedules and event announcements.
Interesting facts
- •Tuman Monastery is often called "Ostrog on the Danube" due to its reputation for healing miracles similar to the Ostrog Monastery in Montenegro.
- •The monastery houses the incorrupt relics of Saint Jacob Arsović, a double doctorate holder and monk who lived from 1893 to 1946.
- •A literary work called the Tuman Apocryphal Collection was created at the monastery in the late 16th century.
- •The monastery complex includes a small zoo park with animals such as birds, ostriches, llamas, and goats, adding to its tourist appeal.
- •The hermitage of Saint Zosima Sinaite, located about 1 km from the monastery, is accessible by a narrow paved road and features a chapel above it.
History
The exact founding date of Tuman Monastery is uncertain, but it first appears in records from 1572/1573 during the reign of Sultan Murad III, noted as a small monastic site with two monks.
According to tradition, it was established by Miloš Obilić after accidentally wounding the hermit Zosima Sinaite during a hunt.
The monastery suffered damage during Turkish incursions in the 16th century and was rebuilt in 1797.
It was heavily damaged in an 1879 earthquake and later restored in 1883.
In 1910, the monastery was demolished by local authorities but rebuilt in 1924 after delays caused by the Balkan Wars.
A Russian monastic brotherhood settled there in 1934.
The monastery was a female community from 1966 until 2014, when it became a male monastery again, leading to renewed development and increased pilgrimage activity.
In 2024, Tuman Monastery was awarded the Order of Sretenje, third degree.
Place Guide
Main Church of Saint Archangel Gabriel14th century (original), rebuilt 1924
The centerpiece of the monastery, built in the Serbian-Byzantine architectural style. It houses the sacred relics of Saint Zosima Sinaite and Saint Jacob the New, and features traditional Orthodox frescoes and iconography.
Hermitage of Saint Zosima Sinaite
Located about 1 kilometer from the monastery, this hermitage is where the revered healer and ascetic Saint Zosima Sinaite lived. A chapel stands above the hermitage, accessible by a narrow paved path.
Monastic Residences (Konaks)
The monastery complex includes a large and a small konak (monastic residence) that accommodate the monastic community and visiting pilgrims.
Zoo Park
A recent addition to the monastery grounds, this small zoo features birds, ostriches, llamas, and goats, enhancing the visitor experience especially for families.
Contact
Phone: 012 7675195
