Stefan Nemanjić, known as Stefan the First-Crowned, was the Grand Prince of Serbia from 1196 and the King of Serbia from 1217 until his death in 1228. He was the first Serbian king by Nemanjić dynasty; due to his transformation of the Serbian Grand Principality into the Kingdom of Serbia and the assistance he provided his brother Saint Sava in establishing the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Fresco of Stefan the First-Crowned from Mileševa Monastery
Stefan Nemanjić as monk Simon. Painted in the endowment of his son Uroš I in Sopoćani c. 1260.
Žiča monastery in Kraljevo was founded by Stefan
Maglič fortress
Grand Principality of Serbia
Grand Principality of Serbia, also known by anachronistic exonym as Rascia, was a medieval Serbian state that existed from the second half of the 11th century up until 1217, when it was transformed into the Kingdom of Serbia. After the Grand Principality of Serbia emerged it gradually expanded during the 12th century, encompassing various neighbouring regions, including territories of Raška, modern Montenegro, Herzegovina, and southern Dalmatia. It was founded by Grand Prince Vukan, who initially served as regional governor of the principality, appointed by King Constantine Bodin. During Byzantine-Serbian wars Vukan gained prominence and became a self-governing ruler in inner Serbian regions. He founded the Vukanović dynasty, which ruled the Grand Principality. Through diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Hungary, Vukan's successors managed to retain their self-governance, while also recognizing the supreme overlordship of the Byzantine Empire, up to 1180. Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja (1166–1196) gained full independence and united almost all Serbian lands. His son, Grand Prince Stefan was crowned King of Serbia in 1217, while his younger son Saint Sava became the first Archbishop of Serbs, in 1219.
Europe in 1135
Remains of the medieval fortress or Ras, the capital of Serbian Grand Principality since mid-12th century; today UNESCO World Heritage Site
Medieval tombstones Stećci found in Grand Principality of Serbia; today UNESCO World Heritage Site
Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja, died in 1199 as monk Simeon