The monastery was founded in 1252 by Prince Stevan Vukanov, the grandson of Nemanja. A founder's inscription from that time is carved into the marble arch above the monastery door. The monastery treasury today preserves specimens of old manuscripts and early printed books. The only frescoes completely preserved from the 13th century are:"the Raven Feeding the Prophet Elijah", "Communion of the Emperors and the Prophets", "Birth of St. John the Baptist" - masterpieces of medieval paintings. Among the icons one from 1645 stands out: the life of St. Sava in pictures. It was done by the monk Kozma, a pupil of Mitrofanovich. A special place among the monastery's treasures is occupied by the altar cross, from the 6th century which, according to legend, took eleven years to make out of walnut wood.
In terms of its history, architecture and frescoes, the monastery of Moracca is one of the most important historical and cultural monuments of Montenegro.
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