"Decani - not just for UFO-logists" Decani by GyuriFT

Decani Travel Guide: 6 reviews and 45 photos

Decani is the home of Orthodox monk community

The Visoki Decani monastery

Visoki Decani is a Serb Orthodox monastery located in the small town of Decani, 12 km/7 miles south of the town of Pec. According Wikipedia it has the largest medieval church in the Balkans but I am not 100% sure about that. The cathedral (katholikon) was built before 1335 in Romanesque style. It's frescoes from ca. 1350 are well-preserved.

The monastery was highly respected during it's history and even Ottoman Sultans issued decrees protecting it. It is located in Kosovo and currently is under protection of KFOR/NATO troops.

It is relatively easy to reach the monastery from Pec, but probably it is a good idea to stay in a nearby hotel.
We stayed in the Hotel Swiss which is not far from the monastery even by foot.

Church exterior: beautiful stone work

Masterpiece of stone work

Interior: covered with frescoes with a surprise

pictures from ufologist web site.

Unfortunately I did not look for the fresco with the cross and two aliens(?), but will try to locate it next time.

the fresco
the fist spaceship?
the second spaceship?

Of course we can't exclude the possibility that space aliens visited Decani, but there is an alternative explanation.

James Hall, author of the Dictionary of Subjects & Symbols In Art writes:

"The sun and moon, one on each side of the cross, are a regular feature of Medieval crucifixion [paintings]. They survived into the early Renaissance but are seldom seen after the 15th century. Their origin is very ancient. It was the custom to represent the Sun and Moon in images of the pagan sun gods of Persia and Greece, a practice that was carried over into Roman times on coins depicting the emperors.

…[T]he sun is [sometimes represented as] simply a man’s bust with a radiant halo, the moon [as] a woman’s, with the crescent of Diana. Later they are reduced to two plain disks. The moon having a crescent within the circle, may be borne by angels. The sun appears on Christ’s right, the moon on his left."

Hence what we see is either two UFO-s with a crew inside or Sun and Moon...depending on someones' beliefs.

the explanation

Pros and Cons

Pros:One of the most impressive Serbian monasteries
Cons:Absolutely no guarantee, visitors will meet UFO-s and Space Aliens

Last visit to Decani: Apr 2010
Intro Updated Apr 24, 2010
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Reviews (6)

The stone work of Decani Monastery - Decani

The stone work of Decani Monastery Things to Do (4)

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Decani monastery in the evening - Decani

Decani Monastery in Autumn 2008 Things to Do (4)

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The monastery complex from outside - Decani

Decani Monastery - the way my wife did... Things to Do (4)

The selected pictures were taken by my wife. Everyone has a different eye, her camera, too had a different eye than... more travel advice

Decani Monastery - the way through KFOR Off The Beaten Path (1)

The famous Decani monastery is not in the city but probably 5 km towards the mountains. It is best to be reached by car,... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Hotel Swiss in Decani

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Comments (2)

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russ0 Dec 8, 2010 at 12:11 PM

Very interesting... Nice readiness here...
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Durfun Aug 10, 2010 at 1:55 PM

Wow, People here wear checked balaclavas??? ;-)