THE AREA AROUND THE MONASTERY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL – A NATIONAL MONUMENT OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The area surrounding the Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul, along with its stećak necropolis, was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2003.

Located 7 km southeast of Trebinje, this historic site encompasses the remains of St. Peter's Church (4th century), situated beneath the current church built in 1906, and St. Paul’s Church (5th century), which was restored in 2007. 

The Monastery of Peter and Paul was born in a small, hidden cave, much like Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. 

For the Apostle Paul and his disciple, the Apostle Titus, there was no place in inns, so they sought refuge in this cave, preaching and baptizing by its holy altar.

Following the path of Christ, the monastery experienced both its Golgotha and resurrection, after which rivers of faithful began to flock to its holy relics.

Archaeological research uncovered the foundations of the Church of the Apostle Peter from the 4th century, which included the Church of the Apostle Paul as its baptistery. 

Coins from the era of Emperor Constantine, as well as jewelry and ceramic artifacts, confirm that the church was constructed no later than the 4th century. 

The sisters from the Gradac Monastery near Raška and from the Petropavlov Monastery adorned the walls of the Church of St. Paul with beautiful frescoes depicting saints and scenes from Christian life.

In praise of God and in honor of Saint Basil of Tvrdoš and Ostrog, a new monastery was founded in 2021 in Mrkonjići, the birthplace of Saint Basil. This sacred place is a metochion of the Petropavlov Monastery.

Source: Zaboravljeni korijeni (Forgotten Roots)