Underground church from the 15th century at a graveyard in the village of Paklenje, vicinity of Raška, Serbia. National Museum of Kraljevo
In the early period of Ottoman rule, after the fortified town of Brvenik, located only about ten kilometers from Paklenje, fell to the Ottomans in 1455. the construction of new churches was prohibited, and anyone who violated the ban faced severe punishment, and if the Ottoman authorities discovered such a church, it would be demolished.
The church in Paklenje was most likely built despite this prohibition in secret, to serve the needs of the local villagers. This region of Serbia, the Ibar Valley and Stari Ras, is known for its miniature churches. In the Ibar Valley alone, there are around twenty such churches. When the Ottoman authorities were somewhat more lenient, they occasionally allowed villagers to build a church, but only if it could be completed within a week or a single night.
