Meeting of the Commission for Hilandar
The Commission for Hilandar of the Government of the Republic of Serbia held a session on Mount Athos at the Hilandar Monastery. The members of this body, chaired by Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković, inspected the restoration works at the monastery — one of the Serbian people’s most significant spiritual and cultural centers. They determined that the buildings damaged in a fire 20 years ago would be completed by the end of the year.
Commission President Minister Selaković emphasized that the “Dohija” building has been fully restored, and the” Igumenarija” building, also affected by the 2004 fire, will be completed by year-end as the final segment of the monastery’s reconstruction. Minister Selaković announced that a major project to construct the treasury and central depot of the Holy Hilandar Monastery is planned for 2025, with work expected to begin by the end of next year.
“Over these 20 years, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has allocated 2,017,000,000 dinars,” Minister Selaković stated. In 2021, the Law on preserving the Cultural and Historical Heritage of the Holy Hilandar Monastery was enacted, enabling further restoration work. This ongoing effort represents the current generation’s commitment to preserving Serbian spirituality, Orthodoxy, and culture. This legacy has been nurtured from the Nemanjić dynasty through the Obrenović and Karađorđević families to the present day.
The Minister of Culture pointed out that the Commission was pleased to note that the work carried out so far has been conducted in a valuable, economical, and prudent manner and that this excellent task, which stood before our people and our state, has ended. During their visit, commission members, including Ministers Nikola Selaković and Nenad Popović, not only inspected the Dohija and Igumenarija buildings but also familiarized themselves with the scope of upcoming conservation and restoration work on the frescoes within these structures.
Additionally, the Commission visited the hybrid energy system that provides electricity to the monastery—a pioneering system on Mount Athos. This system ensures a reliable power supply for Hilandar. The Commission unanimously agreed on the further timeline for developing the project documentation for reconstructing the monastery’s treasury and constructing the central depot. Construction of the depot is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025.
The Commission noted that several buildings within the monastery have already been restored, including the 1814 Residence (Konak), Great Residence (Veliki Konak), White Residence (Beli Konak), and the entrance zone. Other completed works include:
The Refectory (14th Century); Installing a fire reservoir with a hydrant network; Constructing and equipping a central boiler room; Establishing a sewage network with a collector and wastewater treatment system.
In 2024, the Government of the Republic of Serbia, through the Ministry of Culture, allocated 90 million dinars to continue restoration work at Hilandar.
