The church in Serbia remains in ruins: A tombstone behind it hides one of the largest secrets (PHOTO) (VIDEO)

The research almost didn't even scratch the everyday life in Araca itself

Araca church is located between Novi Becej and Novo Milosevo. There aren't any date in historical sources that can confirm the date when it appeared. Ever since the start of 18th century when, when Turks left Banat, it has remained in ruins. The tombstone that was discovered in this church hides a big secret.

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The foundation of this imposing church, as well as the spatial arrangement, is characteristic of the Franciscan churches in the transitional variant of the Romanesque style and it points to the possibility that it was built at the end of the 12th or the beginning of the 13th century.

At the end of the 14th century, a gothic belfry was added to the apse. Rich architectural decoration on facades is preserved in fragments. The pillars and consoles have a variety of decorative plastics with figural and herbal motifs.

During the excavation in 1879, a tombstone was discovered in Araca with the representation of saints and donors, decorated with a triangular interlaced tape, dating from the 12th century. Recent archaeological research confirms that alongside the church there were wreaths and numerous graves on the north from the church. Conservation works were carried out during 1970-72.

Medieval settlement Araca is on the southern coast of Montenegro, a watercourse belonging to the alluvial level of Tisa. The village is about 13 kilometers east of its riverbed. The name of this settlement, referred to as Potiska Araca in the sources, is related to the ruins of the basilica and the monastery.

The location is significant for its position, its size and its sacred place which grew in its vicinity. The research almost didn't even scratch the everyday life in Araca itself.

For this reasons, protective systematic excavations aim to research and document medieval settlements and establish chronological and spatial relations with the monastery complex. Digging will document the soil morphology of the site from prehistoric to late medieval.

Changes in the conception of houses and settlements would be evident, especially the changes that result from the rise of the sacral complex. The ultimate goal is the reconstruction of life in the settlement in general, and especially in the one that is simultaneous with the churches and monasteries and is in line with them.

Archaeological research was focused on the area near the basilica and the monastery, and they aimed to obtain data for the reconstruction and revitalization of this complex.

At the same time, a part of the necropolis was documented, which was formed with the parish churches, and then with a smaller part of the monastery. The remains of the original one-nave church, documented from the end of the 11th and the beginning of the 12th century, were also researched. The Araca stone was found at this location at the end of the 19th century, and today it is in Budapest.

There are a church, clergyman, and donors carved at the stone. There is also the original carving with the Byzantine motifs of braids, birds, and horses on its side, and the church was built in a time closer to eastern Christianity. By building a monumental three-necked basilica, the remains, more precisely the foundations of this church, were found just below the floor, and in the middle nave of the basilica.

Bells, parts of candlesticks, baptistery, stone plastics and other finds allows the religiousness of the Middle Ages to be seen, but also the monastery as a precursor to the spread of moral, cultural and educational values in these parts. The research was carried out jointly by the Provincial Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments and the Vojvodina Museum. All movable archaeological material was deposited in the Museum of Vojvodina. 

The remains of several buildings are found in the immediate surroundings of the basilica and the monastery. They, possibly, point to the relatively wealthy layer of the inhabitants of Araca. It is also possible that they were one of the most important drivers and financiers in the construction of the basilica as a parish church, later a monastery.

Watch how the ruins of Araca Church look like: 

(Telegraf.co.uk)