His vision is what gathers us today at the 11th manifestation European Heritage Days 2012, on the topic “Gifts and Endowments”, today when Nemanja’s Studenica is recognized not only as national heritage but also as part of European and world heritage. Endowments and endowment activity have had a long tradition among the Serbian people. The idea of a gift-giver was usually written on the charter, the endowment was built for redemption from sins, and the saint to whom the temple was dedicated was considered the endower’s intercessor before Christ on the Day of Judgment. The very beginnings of endowment activity are connected with the Nemanjić family. The oldest and most significant endowment, which was built by Stefan Nemanja at the beginning of the 12th century, is the Monastery of Studenica, dedicated to the Most Holy Mother of God. It is important to emphasize that Studenica is also the first Serbian medical institution.
