Gračanica Monastery is located in the Serbian exclave of Gračanica in the Autonomous Region of Kosovo and Metohija, near the city of Pristina. It is dedicated to the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The monastery was founded by King Stefan Milutin in 1315 on the ruins of a 13th-century church, which, in turn, was built on the foundations of an Early Christian three-nave basilica from the 6th century. The narthex and church tower were built several decades later, in part to protect the frescoes on the western façade. The church was seriously damaged by the Turks between 1379 and 1383, but was restored in 1383. The monastery was again plundered by the Ottomans after the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. During Turkish rule, Gračanica became an important cultural center. During the reign of Metropolitan Nikanor (1528–1555), several new icons were painted for the altar. A printing house was also located here, producing large quantities of liturgical and spiritual literature. The Royal Doors were created in 1564 under Metropolitan Dionysius, whose death is also depicted in the frescoes in the narthex. Thanks to the efforts of Patriarch Makarije Sokolović, major restoration work was carried out at the monastery, and new frescoes were created in the monastery church. Under Patriarch Paisios, the church was covered with a lead roof, and a massive cross was installed in the iconostasis. During the Great Turkish War, the monastery was again plundered by the Turks, who were seeking revenge on the Serbs for supporting the Christian side. The Ottomans removed the cross and floor slabs, and also seized the treasures hidden here by Patriarch Arsenios III. After World War II, the nuns returned. Currently, there are 24 nuns here, engaged in icon painting, agriculture, sewing, and other monastic obediences. After the end of the Kosovo War in 1999, Bishop Artemije (Radosavljević) of Raška and Prizren moved his see from Prizren to this monastery, so the monastery currently serves not only as a spiritual but also as a national and political center for the Serbian people in Kosovo. In 1977, Serbs in the United States purchased land on which they built a monastery, named Nova Gračanica. The church at the American monastery resembles the original monastery building in appearance, but is slightly larger.