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Founded in 1186 , the Monastery of Studenica, which is dedicated to the [[Presentation of the Theotokos|Presentation of the Holy Virgin]], is the mother-church of all Serbian temples[[temple]]s. First The first stage works were of work on the monastery was completed by the spring of 1196, when its founder Stefan Nemanja ([[Simeon the Myrrh-flowing|St. Simeon Nemanja]]) abandoned his throne, becoming and became a [[monk]]. [[Simeon the Myrrh-flowing|Nemanja's]] third son St. [[Sava of Serbia|Sava]] molds molded Studenica into the political, cultural , and spiritual center of medieval Serbia founding . He founded within its walls crucial institutions like such as the first organized hospital and school<ref>Teodosije, Life of St. Sava, (Belgrade: Danicic Publishing, 1860)</ref>. Studenica was continualy continually expanded by the members of the Nemanjic dynasty. King Radoslav, grandson of the founder added to the church an [[narthex|exonarthex]] to the church in 1235. King Milutin built a small [[chapel ]] dedicated to Saints Ss. [[Joachim and Anna|Joachim and Anna]] in 1314.

There were Over time other church buildings were built over time within the [[monastery ]] complex, but they were either completely lost or remain only as a foundation trace. Church of St. [[Nicholas of Myra|Nicholas]], a small single-nave [[church predating ]] that predated the monastery complex , remains there as well.

During the Turkish occupation the monastery have suffered desecration of was desecrated by conversion to a storage building and even the a stable. It have was also been damaged by fire and earthquake. Smaller restoration efforts happened throughout its history. Major A major restoration effort occurred in modern times, between 1963-1989.

The Virgin's Church is a domed single-[[nave ]] [[basilica]]. At its eastern end there is a three-sided [[apse]], while a the [[narthex]] faces west. There are also vestibules on the north and the southsides of the building. In the 1235, a large [[exonarthex]] was added, though in with much poorer workmanship and stone quality. The main facades were built with slabs of locally queried quarried white marble. Externally, the Church harmoniously reconciles two architectural styles, the [[Romanesque]] and the [[Byzantine]]. The blending of these two styles eventually has produced a particular style of architecture known as the [[Raska]] School.<ref>Mirjana Sakota, Studenica Monastery (Belgrade, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, 1989) ASIN: B0007BN7QQ</ref>

==Fresco Painting Frescos==The oldest frescoes within the monastery complex can be found in the Church of St. [[Nicholas of Myra|Nicholas]], dating which date to the early 12th twelfth century. However, the knowledge about their origin is lacking.

Initial The initial fresco layer in the main church have been was designed by [[Simeon the Myrrh-flowing|St. Simeon Nemanja]] and St. [[Sava of Serbia|Sava]] . The frescoes were finished in 1208 by painters from the Constantinople school. Two frescoes from this period thankfully surviving have survived in excellent shape to the modern age condition. These best represent the style and the ideas of the initial decoration. These include the Monumental Crucifixion and the fresco [[Theotokos|Mother of God ]] of Studenica.

Mother of God of Studenica fresco represents symbolic symbolically the spiritual mother of the newly fledged Serbian state. In its signage and name it contains a religious, political , and ideological statement of a new state. First, the inscription is in the Serbian language , cyrillic "Studenicka Holy Mother of God", not usual Greek "MHTHR QEOU". Fresco The fresco signage in Cyrillic in any of the churches built was done in the region territory of the archiepiscopacy of Ohrid before the church in Constantinople had given gave independence to the independence was [[Church of Serbia]] as a challenge its [[jurisdiction]]. Another novelty was the very name Studenicka (meaning: of Studenica), which confirms the creation of a national cult regarding the [[icon ]] of the Mother of God, striving that strove toward ecclesiastical independence, which does did follow.<ref>Mihailo Maletic, Studenica, (Belgrade, Knjizevne Novine, 1968) ASIN: B000XXPKIQ</ref>

Fresco [[Image:TheCrucifixionStudenica.jpg|thumb|left|The Crucifixion]]The fresco of the Crucifixion dominates the whole Western wall of the main [[chapel]]. Here we see is seen the style of St. [[Sava of Serbia|Sava]] who wants wanted to represent important ideas in proportional physical size, and there is no greater message in Christianity but the Crucifixion of Christ. While most other Studenica frescoes of the time follow more reserved appearance, in the Crucifixion one can see clearly emotional figures, pointing that point to the development of a new style in century to come.

Frescoes The frescoes in the Kings King's Church have been were painted during 1310's1310s. Main The main theme are is a number of narrative frescoes about Saints the Ss. [[Joachim and Anna|Joachim and Anna]] and the Holy Virgin. They do serve not serve only a religious purpose but were known as an are educational tool tools as well. Great A great example is the [[Nativity of the Theotokos|Nativity of the Virgin]]. In addition to describing the Biblical story, the fresco shows and have has been used to teach about proper hygienic practices.<ref>Mila Rajkovic, The King's Church in Studenica, (Belgrade, Knjizevne Novine, 1964) ASIN: B0006D1P6O</ref>

Major repainting of the lost or heavily damaged areas have been was done in 1569.