Montenegro Ostrog Monastery

The Ostrog Monastery is Serbian Othodox church that dates back to the 17th century and was renovated in the early 1900s after much or the original was destroyed by fire. It has long been revered and visited by Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics and Muslims. It receives around a million pilgrims a year. Much of the building is attributed to Saint Basil, not his birth name but a name given to him when his body was disinterred 7 years after his death and was found to be perfectly preserved and smelled of basil – true story. His body now rests in the church.


Piles of folded blankets and mats can be seen stacked up in an adjacent building. These are provided, without charge, to those who wish to stay overnight at the monastery.

There is a small church with frescoes dating back to the church’s origin but space is cramped and photography is not permitted in there, However, there are shallow caves further up that are open to the outside and these have mosaics that may be photographed.

There are car parks at various levels. The top level is reserved for invalids, small children etc. The car parks further down require a climb of paths with some slippery steps before you reach the level of the monastery itself. There is also a park for coaches bringing tourists from Podgorica, which is 50Km away.