Žitomislić Monastery

Žitomislić Monastery is a significant Serbian Orthodox religious site located near Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, dedicated to the Annunciation. Its establishment dates back to 1556 when the Miloradović-Hrabren family obtained permission from the Ottoman Empire to construct the monastery on the foundations of an older church. The construction was a lengthy process, spanning over forty years, with the presence of monks being recorded as early as 1606.

Historically, Žitomislić Monastery was a thriving spiritual and cultural hub. It was known for its highly artistic iconostasis and housed a scriptorium that achieved considerable renown for its activity during its active period. The monastery also possessed large landholdings, which were cultivated by the monks themselves, contributing to its self-sufficiency and prosperity. In the early 19th century, improvements were made under prior Simeon Miljković, including the addition of guest quarters, local water supply, and a new vineyard, alongside the establishment of a seminary in 1858.

The monastery has endured periods of immense hardship and destruction. In 1941, during World War II, the entire monastic brotherhood was arrested by the Croatian fascist Ustasha, tortured, and killed. The monastery complex was subsequently plundered and destroyed, with only the church itself remaining. Later, during the Bosnian War in 1992, Žitomislić was again targeted and destroyed by the Croatian Defence Council. The library, containing numerous old manuscripts and Ottoman documents, was plundered, and the buildings, including the cemetery, were dynamited and bulldozed. Following this extensive devastation, reconstruction efforts officially began in 2002, focusing on meticulously recreating the monastery's original architecture from the remnants. The fully restored monastery hosted a regular session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church in 2005, marking its resurgence.