Zavala Monastery
The Zavala Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located in the village of Zavala on the southwestern edge of Popovo Polje, in Ravno, Bosnia and Herzegovina municipality, in the southernmost part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is first mentioned in 1514, which means that the monastery already existed by the early sixteenth century. The monastery was designated National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the KONS in 2003.
Location and history
Some 55 kilometres to the east lies the town of Trebinje. The monastery is dedicated to the Presentation of Mary. The northern wall of the monastery's church is situated within a cave. This monastery is also known as a place where Basil of Ostrog entered into monasticism.The Zavala monastery is first mentioned in 1514, when abbot Serafion bought a vineyard in Orahov Do from certain Božo, son of Radoslav. Two years later, in 1516, the Ottomans ordered the destruction of Catholic churches built before the conquest of Herzegovina. For this reason, many Catholics in the region of Popovo Polje converted to Eastern Orthodoxy. The proximity of the Zavala monastery was the main factor in their conversion. In 1587, the monastery received approval from the Sultan to be renovated according to the original dimensions.
During World War II, the monastery suffered major damage, and in the Bosnian War it was further damaged and abandoned. In the early 21st century, the frescoes were restored, the church and dormitories were renovated, and the monastery became active again.