During the 17th century, the monastery was a major center for manuscript illumination and literary work within the Serbian Orthodox Church.
The remains of the medieval monk and writer Hadži-Melentije Stefanović, a leader of the First Serbian Uprising, are buried at the site.
The monastery is situated near the canyon of the Rača River, which flows into the Drina.
Monks from this monastery actively participated in the defense of Serbian culture and language while living in exile in Srem during the 17th century.
The church architecture reflects the Morava school style, characterized by its stone construction and traditional Serbian ecclesiastical design.
Archeological excavations in the area have uncovered evidence of much older settlements dating back to the Roman period.
Rača Monastery is a 13th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery located at the foot of Tara Mountain near the town of Bajina Bašta. Founded by King Stefan Dragutin, the site is historically significant as the center of the Rača School of scribes, where monks preserved Serbian literacy and culture during the Ottoman occupation. The current church structure, dedicated to the Ascension of Christ, was reconstructed in the 19th century following repeated destruction by Ottoman forces. The monastery grounds house a small treasury containing hand-copied manuscripts and items salvaged from the original medieval complex. A nearby natural spring, known as 'Lađevac', is historically associated with the monastery and the medicinal water of the region. The monastic complex serves as an active religious site and a memorial to the historic resistance of the Serbian clergy.
The view from the approach path provides the best perspective of the church against the backdrop of the dense Tara forest.
Combine your visit with a hike on the nearby Tara National Park trails.
Respect the monastic silence, as the site is an active religious residence.
Carry drinking water, as facilities on-site are limited to the church and souvenir area.
Do not treat the monastery as a standard tourist park; avoid loud conversations or intrusive behavior near the living quarters.
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees; women may be expected to cover their heads; do not photograph monks or religious services without permission.
