The remains of Mrnja’s Church are located at the village cemetery in Bečevica. There are almost no historical records about the past of this church. According to folk tradition, its founder was Mrnja, the father of King Vukašin. However, due to geographical and historical circumstances, it is more likely that the church was built during the period of the Despotate in the 14th-15th centuries. Given its proximity to Borač Castle, it is considered that the history of this church is closely related to the establishment and development of the castle. The shape of the church and its architectural similarity to other churches around Borač Castle also suggest it was built in the 14th-15th centuries. The church has been preserved only in its lower zone. It has a rectangular base with an apse to the east and a later added narthex. It is built of broken stone with plastered facades. The interior was frescoed, as evidenced by the fragmented remains of frescoes discovered in the church.
MRNJA’S CHURCH IN BEČEVICA
The remains of Mrnja’s Church at the village cemetery in Bečevica were designated as a cultural monument by the Decision of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute Kragujevac, No. 98/1-69, dated March 13, 1970.
Bibliography:
1. Vulović, B., Veličković, M. (1956): Mrnjina crkva, u: Arheološki spomenici i nalazišta u Srbiji, II Centralna Srbija, str. 167–168, SANU, Beograd
2. Radić, B., Pajkić, P. (2007): Znamenitosti Šumadije, str. 82, Zavod za zaštitu spomenika kulture Kragujevac, Kragujevac
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