The monastery of St. Elijah Upper, the village of Banjani, Skopje

The monastery church of St. Elijah is located at the valley of the river Banjska, near the village Banjani, southwest from Skopje.

According to the historical sources we dont have the exact date of origin of the church of St. Elijah. It is a small single-nave church. With the north side the church is connected with a rock. In the literature and in the historical sources can be met as a cave church. From the outside the apse is three-sided.

In the inside of the church can be recognized two layers of fresco paint. The second layer doesn`t have a great art value. According to the preserved remains from the first layer it is supposing that the church was built in the 14th century.

Especially impressive are the lodgings, where were filmed a great number of documentaries and films. Although the church is very small, it attracts a great number of tourists, and the whole environment is a great place for picnics.