Grand Principality of Serbia

Grand Principality of Serbia
Великожупанска Србија (Serbian)
Velikožupanska Srbija' (Serbian)
1091–1217
Seal of Stefan Nemanja of Serbia
Europe in 1135
Europe in 1135
CapitalRas
Niš
Common languagesSerbian (Old Serbian)
Religion
Eastern Orthodox (majority)
Bogomilism (minority, banned)
Demonym(s)Serbian, Serb
GovernmentMonarchy
Grand Prince (Grand Župan) 
• 1083–1112
Vukan
• 1166–1196
Stefan Nemanja
• 1196–1202, 1204–1228
Stefan Nemanjić (Grand Prince↑King)
• 1202–1204
Vukan Nemanjić
Historical eraMedieval
• Independence
1091
• Elevated to kingdom
1217
ISO 3166 codeRS
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty
Duklja
Principality of Serbia
Kingdom of Serbia

Grand Principality of Serbia (Serbian: Великожупанска Србија, romanizedVelikožupanska Srbija), also known by anachronistic exonym as Rascia (Serbian: Рашка, romanizedRaška),[a] was a medieval Serbian state that existed from the second half of the 11th century up until 1217, when it was transformed into the Kingdom of Serbia. After the Grand Principality of Serbia emerged it gradually expanded during the 12th century, encompassing various neighbouring regions, including territories of Raška (Serbian Cyrillic: Рашка; Latin: Rascia), modern Montenegro, Herzegovina, and southern Dalmatia. It was founded by Grand Prince Vukan, who initially (c. 1082) served as regional governor of the principality, appointed by King Constantine Bodin. During Byzantine-Serbian wars (c. 1090) Vukan gained prominence and became a self-governing ruler in inner Serbian regions. He founded the Vukanović dynasty, which ruled the Grand Principality. Through diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Hungary, Vukan's successors managed to retain their self-governance, while also recognizing the supreme overlordship of the Byzantine Empire, up to 1180. Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja (1166–1196) gained full independence and united almost all Serbian lands. His son, Grand Prince Stefan was crowned King of Serbia in 1217, while his younger son Saint Sava became the first Archbishop of Serbs, in 1219.[1][2][3]