Sightseeing stop in Zavala: discover beautiful places in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Zavala highlight

We at Monterrasol Transfers specialize in private car transfers. Together with the transfer itself, we propose that you visit some beautiful places along the transfer route. We call such places optional sightseeing stops (short excursions).

One of the places we selected to propose as a sightseeing stop is a beautiful Zavala in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Sightseeing stops are a perfect easy opportunity to see new places during your transfer across Bosnia-Herzegovina, especially during long distance transfers. Take it as a great option to get in touch with local culture and history. It's good to combine transportation and sightseeing together!

The Zavala monastery is an important and old Serbian Orthodox monastery located in the village of Zavala, on the eastern part of Popovo Polje, in Herzegovina, about 50 km west of the city of Trebinje. The northern part of the monastery's church is situated in a cave. The Zavala monastery is famous for frescoes with vibrant, well-preserved colors and an unusual depiction of Jesus Christ.

Last reviewed: 19 April 2026

Zavala description

Zavala Monastery is tucked away in the southern reaches of Bosnia-Herzegovina, perched on the southwestern edge of the Popovo Polje valley. It lies near the village of Zavala, roughly 6 kilometers south of the town of Ravno. The complex is built on terraces, offering breathtaking views over the wide and fertile valley floor.

This holy site is a Serbian Orthodox monastery, which holds deep spiritual meaning for the local community. Its name, Zavala, has become synonymous with resilience and artistic beauty in this part of Herzegovina. The monastery is dedicated to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a significant feast day in the Orthodox calendar.

The oldest written evidence of Zavala Monastery dates back to a contract from the year 1514, which mentions a vineyard sale to the monks. However, it is widely believed that the monastery was originally founded much earlier, in the year 1271, which is the year written on the ancient monastery seal. By the 16th century, the monastery already possessed a scriptorium, a room dedicated to copying manuscripts. Also, the tradition has preserved the knowledge that the Emperor Constantine and his mother Jelena built the original church in Zavala.

Along with Zitomislic monastery (located near Mostar) and Tvrdos monastery (near the city of Trebinje), Zavala monastery is one of the most important monasteries in East Herzegovina.    

The monastery suffered a terrible blow during the Second World War when it was ravaged by Ustasha forces in 1942. The Ustasha were the military wing of the Croatian fascist, ultranationalist, and terrorist organization, which ruled the Independent State of Croatia, a Nazi puppet state, from 1941 to 1945. The attack left most of the complex in ruins, destroying the residential quarters known as konaks. Remarkably, the humble, small church from the 13th century survived the devastation, protecting the precious art within its walls.

The surviving church is a fascinating structure, built partly into the living rock of the mountain. Its entire northern and western walls are carved directly into the cliff face, giving it the intimate feel of a hermit’s chapel. The roof is covered in traditional stone slabs, or slates, which blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

On the western side of the church, the vaulted ceiling is noticeably lower than the rest of the building. This architectural feature supports a hidden, secret room that once served as a vault for the monastery’s treasure. This concealed space protected valuable relics and manuscripts during times of danger and invasion.

The main tourist highlight inside the church is the stunning collection of frescoes painted in 1619. These artworks were created by the renowned Serbian painter and monk, Georgije Mitrofanovic. His work is considered some of the finest artistic creations from the Middle Ages in all of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Mitrofanovic's frescoes are famous for their vibrant, well-preserved colors and an unusual depiction of Jesus Christ. At the top of the vault, the painter placed four distinct portraits of Christ within circles. Jesus appears as a child (Emmanuel), with wings (Angel of the Great Council), as a middle-aged man, and as an old man (Ancient of Days).

Beyond the portraits of Christ, visitors can admire a beautiful composition of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, which is the official dedication of the church. The cycle of the Passion is also represented, including a striking scene of the Flagellation. These works faithfully follow the archaic, golden-age style of 14th-century Serbian church art.

To the north-east of the church, perched directly on the rock, stands a stone bell tower of the ＂preslica＂ type, which was built in 1899. New residential quarters, or konaks, were constructed in 1876, and a monastery school was opened a decade later, in 1886. Before an Austrian stairway was built, a tunnel was the only access to the church entrance.

This monastery holds special importance for Orthodox pilgrims as the place where Basil of Ostrog, a famous miracle-working saint, entered into monastic life. Saint Basil later founded the famous Ostrog Monastery in Montenegro. This connection makes Zavala a significant stop on the spiritual trail of the region.

After the war, the monastery was fully restored and is once again an active spiritual center. Today, together with the old village of Zavala and the nearby Vjetrenica cave, with its old architecture and stone masonry, it forms a unique cultural, historical, and natural ensemble. This whole area is protected as a national monument of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Because of its outstanding national heritage and touristic importance, the Zavala Monastery site has been placed on the UNESCO Tentative List. It is being considered for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This recognition highlights its global value as a blend of nature, architecture, and art.

Zavala Monastery is fascinating because it combines a tragic history, unique cave architecture, and world-class frescoes in one stunning location. Visitors can see a church built into a cliff, discover a secret treasure room, and admire 400-year-old paintings of Christ. Its location right next to the magnificent Vjetrenica cave makes it a perfect, easy-to-reach double attraction for anyone exploring southern Bosnia-Herzegovina.

We know good things to see in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We know the roads, well-known tourist attractions like UNESCO sites, and off-the-beaten-path places.

If you would like to learn more about Bosnia-Herzegovina and explore it by visiting different attractions, come with us for a private tour. We can travel all across Bosnia-Herzegovina and we will show you all the important tourist attractions together with the hidden gems of this beautiful country. Feel free to contact us!

We have developed numerous itineraries for private car tours in Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as in neighboring countries, including tours passing through several countries as one journey. Solo private tours and tours for Seniors are available also.