Visoki Decani Monastery was not on my list of places to visit before I visited Kosovo. I had no idea the country was home to such a historically significant and controversial site.
But when I came across it on Google Maps while driving from Valbona, Albania, to Peja, Kosovo, it looked too interesting to pass up. Plus, the area around it was beautiful, with nearby Decan Canyon being a great adventure hub.
What I thought was going to be a quick stop became a much lengthier and more fascinating experience.
The History of Visoki Decani
Visoki Decani is a 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery named after Serbian king Stefan Decanski. Today, it remains the largest medieval church in the Balkans.
Given Kosovo’s complicated history and the monastery’s Serbian identity, the monastery remains at the center of political tension and discussions. The complex sat in the middle of a war zone in the late 1990s, however, it remains in remarkably good condition. That doesn’t mean it’s gone without threats to its existence, which I’ll touch on below.
Where is Visoki Decani?
The monastery is located in western Kosovo just outside the small city of Decan. The town has a lively local center, though it isn’t particularly geared for tourists. You’ll find a wider selection of amenities, restaurants and accommodation 45 minutes to the north in the larger city of Peja or to the south in historical Gjakova.
This area of Kosovo is rich in natural beauty and history. That beauty comes in the form of the Accursed Mountains right on the doorstep of Decan and the monastery. Visoki Decani is literally right at the base of the mountains.
Many of the fiercest battles with Serbia in the late 1990s came in this region of Kosovo. A couple of locals told me that the mountains surrounding Decan were a common smuggling route as well. Albanians from Albania would provide weapons and ammunition to Kosovars at and around the border.
Why Visoki Decani Remains Under 24/7 Military Protection
Visoki Decani itself and this area as a whole have a tumultuous history, involving several centuries of everchanging political control and deep-rooted ties to both the Albanian and Serbian communities. The monastery was built in the 14th century under Serbian rule, but obviously, the circumstances aren’t the same today.
It’s not a surprise that the monastery was threatened during the war with Serbia and the years that followed. However, nearly 30 years later, Visoki Decani is still under 24/7 military protection by way of NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) troops. It’s listed as one of UNESCO’s 58 endangered cultural sites and is designated as a, “Cultural Monument of Exceptional Importance.”
Why is that?
Well, NATO saw the need even after the war, given a famous Serbian Orthodox Monastery sitting on Albanian land. There were a few terrorist attempts in the 2000s and one as recent as 2016.
As a result, international forces have protected the grounds around the click since 1999. NATO also announced changes to security in 2026, integrating Kosovo police personnel, though the KFOR remains first responders. NATO troops (from a multitude of countries) defend the grounds round-the-clock.
Despite all this, I really don’t think you need to worry about your safety. There’s been no threats since 2016, and the two attempted attacks in the 2000s were isolated incidents.
Getting to Visoki Decani
Visoki Decani is very accessible. It’s about 45 minutes from Peja, 30 minutes from Gjakova, and one hour from Pristina. No matter where you plan on visiting from, it’s an easy drive. There’s one road in and out, which you can’t miss.
No buses go to Visoki Decani, so you’ll need a rental car or a private guide. I found driving in Kosovo quite straightforward, for what it’s worth.
When pulling up, you’ll be stopped by armed military. Don’t fret as this is completely normal. They’ll ask for your passport and car registration. I think the fact that our rental car had Serbian plates made them a touch suspicious, but they let us through quickly anyway.
You’ll park in a small lot and walk to the front entrance, where you’ll be greeted by more officers. They’ll hold your passport before heading inside.
The Grounds of Visoki Decani
You’ll need to be wearing long pants to go inside Visoki Decani. We were wearing shorts given we were visiting Kosovo on a hot summer day. If you don’t feel like changing into pants, you can do what we did and pay 4 Euro to use these sorts of makeshift trousers in the form of doctor scrubs that they have by the entrance. Kind of stylish, to be honest!
The monastery and surrounding grounds are beautiful. It remains home to active, practicing Serbian Orthodox monks and novices. The church itself is the main attraction, combining Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture influences. Inside, you’ll find more than 1,000 preserved frescoes depicting religious figures and biblical scenes. I found them incredibly impressive.
The contrast between the monks and military officers around the grounds was really interesting. I saw multiple officers inside the church saying prayers themselves.
There’s a small souvenir shop inside just to the right of the entrance of the grounds which, if you’re like me and you like to collect fridge magnets of places you travel, is very convenient.
Ultimately, you don’t need to spend more than an hour or so inside the monastery. The complex isn’t massive. But it was so peaceful that I really enjoyed my time there, even though I’m not a practicing Christian myself.
Things to Do Near Visoki Decani
If you continue 5 or 10 minutes further down the road, you’ll be deep in Decan Canyon. You can combine the monastery visit with an outdoor activity like zip lining, hiking, or a via ferrata climb. Decan Canyon is one of the better outdoor hubs throughout Kosovo.
There are also two wonderful riverside restaurants just a couple of hundred meters down the road called Restaurant Natyra Decan and Gryka Decanit. We ate at Gryka Decanit and both the food and setting were fantastic. There’s even seating that is quite literally above the rushing river. Really cool!
[…] Visoki Dečani Monastery is one of the most fascinating places I visited in Kosovo, and not just because of the monastery itself. Built in the 14th century, the Serbian Orthodox monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is still under the protection of international NATO KFOR troops. The monastery has had several terrorist attacks and threats since the war with Kosovo, mainly in the 2000s. […]
[…] Visoki Dečani Monastery is a 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery that’s survived a lot. Despite invasions, terrorist attacks, and more, it’s been well-preserved and remains one of Kosovo’s most striking architectural landmarks. […]