We would like to invite you to the upcoming lecture, part of the discussion series “Why Byzantium?” The seminar continues with a lecture by Dr Jelena Erdeljan on the “Politics and (visual) identity. Three Serbian royal mausolea of the 14th century revisited (Banjska, Dečani, Holy Archangels by Prizren)”. The event will take place at the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, at 16:00.

Abstract: This discussion opens up the question of visual identity of mausolea of three key rulers of the Nemanide dynasty, king Stefan Uroš II Milutin, king Stefan Dečanski, and king and emperor Stefan Dušan from a novel point of view. It will present before the public the results of the speaker’s most recent research on the monasteries of Banjska, Dečani, and the Holy Archangels by Prizren which have contributed to a crucial reevaluation of existing views, as expressed in historiography to date, regarding the issue of so-called Western influences in process of shaping the visual narratives of Serbian royal mausolea, from Studenica onward. The concept, theological-ideological background, and visual modelling of the tomb of emperor Dušan in his funerary church in the monastery of the Holy Archangels by Prizren is a particularly significant case in point and topic which will be part of this discussion.