Hermitage of Saint Sava in Kablar

There are several “hermitages” of Saint Sava. Known as the Enlightener or the Illuminator, Saint Sava was a Serbian prince and Orthodox monk who became the first Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He founded and used multiple secluded places for prayer and work, inspired by travels to Mount Athos and Palestine. These hermitages, or places of solitude, served as centers for spiritual reflection, writing, and education.

One such example is the Hermitage of Saint Sava or Savinje Church. This small chapel dedicated to Saint Sava is tucked away in the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge. Built around 1938 beside a natural spring, it is both historic and secluded, and local tradition links the site to the legend of Saint Sava seeking refuge there. Known as “Sava’s Water,”, the source of the spring water was traditionally believed to aid eyesight issues and soothe headaches. To this day, on major feast days in the Serbian Orthodox Church, monks from the Monastery of the Transfiguration hold services there.