The monastery was established in a chestnut grove by king Stefan
Decanski in 1327. Its original founding charter is dated to 1330,
however.
Next year the king died and was buried at the monastery, which
henceforth became his popular shrine. The construction activities were
continued by his son Stefan Dusan until 1335, but the wall-painting was
not completed until 1350.
The cathedral, dedicated to Christ Pantocrator and built from blocks of
red-purple, light-yellow and onyx marble, was constructed by
master-builders under the Franciscan monk Vitus of Kotor.
It is
distinguished from other contemporary Serbian churches by its imposing
dimensions and obvious Romanesque features. Its celebrated frescoes
comprise some 1000 portraits and cover all major themes of the New
Testament.
The cathedral contains original 14th-century wooden
iconostasis, hegumen's throne and carved sarcophagus of king Stefan.
