The exhibition “Brothers Musić: Pavlica and Brvenik” was ceremonially opened at the Gallery of the National Museum Kraljevo on Thursday, June 25th, 2026, starting at 7 p.m. The author of the exhibition is Milorad Obradović, PhD, curator of the National Museum Kraljevo.
The exhibition represents the result of many years of scholarly research dedicated to one of the most important noble families of the late Middle Ages and their role in the political, spiritual, and cultural life of Serbia on the eve of the Battle of Kosovo.
Darko Gučanin, director of the National Museum Kraljevo, welcomed the audience and opened the program. The event began with a musical performance by students of the Music School “Stevan Mokranjac” from Kraljevo, who performed the traditional song “Čije je ono devojče”. The performers were Teodora Tošović, Anđela Nedeljković, Selena Svilar, Petra Miletić, and Marija Stanimirović, from the classes of professors Jelena Stolić and Tatjana Kaličanin, accompanied by Professor Lazar Vasiljević.
Speaking about the exhibition, Gučanin emphasized that it seeks to shed light on the political and military circumstances immediately before the Battle of Kosovo, the endowment activities of the Musić brothers, as well as the cultural life and everyday reality of the late 14th century. He highlighted that the exhibition is the product of years of multidisciplinary research, combining the knowledge of historians, archaeologists, and art historians.
The author, Milorad Obradović, PhD, then addressed the audience. He explained that his interest in the Musić brothers began in childhood, during the commemoration of the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo, when he learned that the Kosovo martyrs Stefan and Lazar Musić were buried near his native region. He reminded that their relics were discovered in 1984 and are today kept in a wooden reliquary gifted by the monks of the Russian Monastery of Saint Panteleimon on Mount Athos.
Presenting the concept of the exhibition, Obradović pointed to the diversity of the displayed material. Visitors can see archaeological finds from Nova Pavlica, a model of medieval Brvenik, the famous cross of the Musić brothers preserved in Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, as well as reconstructions and modern interpretations of their portraits. He emphasized the exhibition’s multidisciplinary character and noted that it is accompanied by a comprehensive catalog. In July, author’s guided tours will be held every Tuesday, offering visitors insights into many details not included in the exhibition or catalog.
The exhibition was officially opened by art historian Bojan Popović, PhD, director of the Gallery of Frescoes of the National Museum of Serbia and reviewer of the catalog. He noted that, on the eve of Vidovdan, curator Obradović undertook the challenging task of presenting the Musić brothers, Brvenik, and Nova Pavlica together, despite the many historical and mythical layers intertwined. He emphasized that the author successfully united complex themes — the personalities and historical roles of the Musić brothers, and the significance of Brvenik and Nova Pavlica — into a coherent exhibition.
Special attention was given to the famous reliquary of the Musić brothers, preserved in Vatopedi Monastery, which contains a particle of the True Cross. Popović reminded that this precious relic is one of the most important examples of Serbian medieval art and devotion, donated by the Musić brothers together with their mother Dragana, who became nun Theodosia, sister of Prince Lazar. He stressed that this object testifies not only to their deep spirituality but also to their high social status.
Speaking about Nova Pavlica, Popović reminded that the monastery was built as a female convent next to Stara Pavlica, and that both sanctuaries form a unique spiritual and architectural whole. He highlighted the exceptional value of the frescoes of Nova Pavlica, belonging to the earliest period of Morava Serbia, as well as the donor portraits of Stefan and Lazar Musić. He pointed out their princely iconography, rich use of pearls and precious stones on clothing, the title “lord” and the fact that Stefan Musić minted his own coins – one of the most important signs of high princely status.
In conclusion, Popović emphasized that historical sources, preserved portraits, and folk tradition testify to the exceptional reputation of the Musić brothers in the medieval Serbian state and culture. He noted that Obradović’s exhibition convincingly connects scholarly research, archaeology, art history, and cultural heritage, offering visitors a comprehensive picture of the time in which Stefan and Lazar Musić lived.
After the exhibition was declared open, numerous visitors toured the display and discussed the exhibits and research results with the author.
The exhibition “Brothers Musić: Pavlica and Brvenik” will remain open to visitors until August 10th, 2026, with regular author’s guided tours organized throughout July.
Anđelija Petrović
Editor of the Informative Program
Of Official Internet Presentation of the National Museum Kraljevo