Ascension of our Lord Church
Upon entering the church of the Ascension of our Lord at Dečani Monastery, visitors are immediately immersed in a complex masterpiece of ecclesiastical art, encompassing intricate architecture, sculpture, murals, and icons. This extraordinary structure represents a synthesis of Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural traditions. Created by master builders and artisans from Kotor, the church (catholicon) stands as a uniquely original work in its design, construction, and ornamentation. It boasts the most lavishly carved stone decorations in Serbian medieval art and houses the largest extant gallery of medieval frescoes.
The central section of the church, the naos, is the widest and tallest, serving as the focal point of the interior space. In contrast, the altar section and narthex are lower, creating a deliberate progression of volumes. The side chapels, the lowest elements of the structure, are formed as distinct, independent units. This architectural arrangement achieves a harmonious balance through the gradual modeling of spatial masses and the progressive rise of the roofline toward the central part of the building, culminating in a soaring dome that crowns the church.
