Monastery Holy Transfiguration

Zrze, North Macedonia, North Macedonia

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The Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration in Zrze, North Macedonia, is an active Orthodox male monastery perched on the southern slopes of Mount Dautica near Prilep, about 36 km northwest of the city, originally founded as a monastic center in the 9th century with cave churches and hermit cells carved into cliffs. Its main church, a single-nave structure with a semicircular apse built by monk German in the mid-14th century during Serbian Tsar Dušan's reign, features 16th-19th century frescoes, a western porch added before 1369, and reconstructions in 1535 and the 17th century, alongside a second church to Saints Peter and Paul. Once spanning 7,000 m² with fortified walls, towers, and ancient basilica remnants from a former citadel, it endured Ottoman damage yet preserves icons by zoograph brothers Jovan and Makarie, now serving as an episcopal seat for Bishop Kliment of Heraclea with ongoing cave restorations.