Marko's Monastery is a monastery located in the village of Markova Sušica, 18 kilometres (11 mi) from central Skopje in North Macedonia. The monastery bears the name of Serbian Prince Marko, who reigned at the time of its completion in the 14th century. Marko's Monastery has been active since its establishment.
Church of Saint Demetrius at Marko's Monastery
Fresco depicting Saint Demetrius
Fresco depicting King Marko
Marko Mrnjavčević was the de jure Serbian king from 1371 to 1395, while he was the de facto ruler of territory in western Macedonia centered on the town of Prilep. He is known as Prince Marko and King Marko in South Slavic oral tradition, in which he has become a major character during the period of Ottoman rule over the Balkans. Marko's father, King Vukašin, was co-ruler with Serbian Tsar Stefan Uroš V, whose reign was characterised by weakening central authority and the gradual disintegration of the Serbian Empire. Vukašin's holdings included lands in north-western Macedonia and Kosovo. In 1370 or 1371, he crowned Marko "young king"; this title included the possibility that Marko would succeed the childless Uroš on the Serbian throne.
King Marko on a fresco above the south entrance to the church of Marko's Monastery near Skopje. He was a ktetor of this monastery.
Marko's father King Vukašin (from a fresco in the Psača Monastery, North Macedonia)
Remains of Marko's fortress above Prilep, known as Markovi Kuli ("Marko's towers")
Marko's Monastery in Markova Sušica, near Skopje