Serbia: Novi Pazar part 2- Petrova Crkva

This is Petrova Crkva, the church of St. Peter.

It is located in the outskirts of Novi Pazar and is historically linked with the old city of Ras, the first Serbian capital.

The church dates from the 7th Century, making it the oldest Church of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren.

The temple is of special significance for Serbian history since it had an important role in key events in the life of the Great Prince Stefan Nemanja: he was baptised there; the council organized against the heretics (Bogumils); and the hand over of the rule to the son Stefan.
The three layers of the fragmentarily preserved frescoes date, from 9th-10th and the beginning of 12th centuries with monumental tombstones dating from 17th and 19th centuries.