St. Ilija “Bren” is a monastery located in the village of Gradesnica, in the southwestern part of North Macedonia. The monastery is dedicated to St. Elijah, one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. “Bren” means “burning” in the Macedonian language, and the monastery is named after a local legend that tells of a fire that burned on the hill where the monastery now stands, which was believed to have been started by St. Elijah himself.
The exact date of the founding of the monastery is unknown, but it is believed to date back to the 14th century, during the reign of the Serbian emperor Stefan Dušan. The monastery was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history, including during the Ottoman rule in the region.
Today, St. Ilija “Bren” is an important religious and cultural site in North Macedonia, attracting many visitors and pilgrims each year. The monastery is known for its beautiful frescoes, which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as for its stunning views of the surrounding landscape.