c. 1276–1331

Stefan Dečanski

The holy martyr king and builder of Visoki Dečani

A life between suffering and glory

Stefan Uroš III, known among the people as Dečanski, had perhaps the hardest fate of all the Nemanjićs. As a young man he was sent as a hostage to the court of the Tatar khan Nogai. Later he rebelled against his father, King Milutin, who for this had him blinded and banished to Constantinople.

In Constantinople he spent years in the Monastery of Christ Pantokrator, where, according to tradition, Saint Nicholas appeared to him and restored his sight. As a sign of gratitude to God for the miraculous healing, upon returning to the Serbian throne Stefan began building his magnificent endowment, Visoki Dečani.

"I thank You, Lord, for leading me out of darkness into light and for deeming me worthy to build You a house."

The Holy King

His reign brought Serbia a great military victory at Velbazhd in 1330, which secured Serbia's supremacy in the Balkans. However, his life ended tragically, as he was deposed by his son Dušan. His relics, which are considered miraculous, have rested in Dečani for centuries, intact and revered.