Krušedol was founded between 1509 and 1516 by Bishop Maksim — born Đorđe Branković, the last titular despot of Serbia — together with his mother, the nun Angelina, with help from the Wallachian prince Neagoe Basarab. It was conceived as the family mausoleum of the Brankovićs, and for a time was the seat of the bishopric of Srem. Both founders were later proclaimed saints.
In 1716, retreating after their defeat at Petrovaradin, Ottoman troops burned the monastery and the relics of the Branković family. What you see today is the 16th-century church, repainted and refurnished in the 18th century, inside a quadrangle of baroque residences behind deep-red outer walls. Its importance never faded: Krušedol appears on Serbian coins and remains the first stop on almost every monastery tour.
Top things to do: Krušedol Monastery
Read the two layers of frescoes
The church of the Annunciation was first painted in the 1540s; in the 1750s the walls were covered again in oil by Jov Vasilijevič and Stefan Tenecki, in a style that brings baroque drama into an Orthodox programme. In places the older layer shows through. The iconostasis combines icons from several centuries.
Find the tombs
Krušedol is a who’s who of Serbian history in stone. Buried here are Patriarch Arsenije III Čarnojević, who led the Great Migration of 1690, Patriarch Arsenije IV, Princess Ljubica Obrenović, voivode Stevan Šupljikac and King Milan Obrenović, who died in Vienna in 1901.
Walk the courtyard and the grounds
Step back from the church to take in the arcaded residences, the baroque bell tower and the old trees. Outside the walls a short path leads through orchards and to the monastery shop, which sells honey, rakija, wine and icons.
Combine with Grgeteg and Velika Remeta
The two neighbouring monasteries are ten minutes’ drive away, and together they make the classic eastern circuit. The village church of Krušedol Selo, built as a convent by Angelina, is also worth a brief stop.
How to get to Krušedol Monastery
- By car: about 8 km east of Irig and some 25 km from Novi Sad; leave the Novi Sad–Ruma road at Irig or come from the Belgrade–Novi Sad motorway via the Maradik exit. Free parking at the gate.
- By public transport: impractical. Buses reach Irig, but onward services to the monastery are rare. A taxi from Irig or Sremski Karlovci is the fallback.
- On a tour: the simplest way — see the day trips that include Krušedol from Belgrade and Novi Sad.
Insider tips
- Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees for everyone. Wraps are sometimes available at the gate, but do not count on it.
- Photography is normally not allowed inside the church; ask before using a camera in the courtyard during services.
- Monasteries are generally open from morning until dusk and entry is free; a small donation or a purchase in the shop is appreciated.
- The feast days of St Maksim and Mother Angelina draw large congregations — moving to witness, but not the day for a quiet look at the frescoes.
Best tours & tickets: Krušedol Monastery
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Krušedol Monastery:
Small-group day trip from €89 From Belgrade: Novi Sad, Fruška Gora, Winery & Krušedol Monastery
A small-group day with a perfect score so far, built around Krušedol — the most important monastery on the mountain — plus a winery and the fortress. The best single tour if you want one monastery done properly without giving up Novi Sad.
- Frescoes and royal tombs at Krušedol Monastery
- Bermet tasting at a winery
- Petrovaradin Fortress and Novi Sad
Half-day tour from €69 From Novi Sad: Sremski Karlovci and Krušedol Monastery Tour
Already staying in Novi Sad? This compact private tour covers the two essentials on the eastern side of the mountain — Karlovci and Krušedol — in a morning or afternoon, with pickup from your accommodation.
- St Nicholas Cathedral and the Four Lions fountain
- Bermet tasting in Sremski Karlovci
- Krušedol Monastery in the eastern hills
Small-group day tour from €101 Fruška Gora: 7 Orthodox Monasteries & Spiritual Journey
The deep dive: seven monasteries from the eastern valleys to Jazak in a single day, with a guide who explains the frescoes, relics and the story of the “Serbian Holy Mountain”. Check the meeting point when booking — this tour starts on the mountain.
- Velika Remeta, Krušedol and Grgeteg
- Novo Hopovo and Staro Hopovo
- Vrdnik-Ravanica and Jazak
Small-group half-day tour from €75 Fruška Gora: 3 Orthodox Monasteries Tour
A newer half-day tour of the three neighbouring monasteries in the eastern valleys. It has no reviews yet, but the route is the most logical short circuit on the mountain and leaves the rest of your day free for wine or the spa.
- Velika Remeta
- Krušedol, the most important monastery
- Grgeteg
