The upper parts of the church were rebuilt in 1926-28 with the stone found in its immediate vicinity, with the addition of some artificial materials. Some parts of the walls, arches, domes and rows of arcades were restored on that occasion. The roofs were covered with tiles. Thus the remaining frescoes were protected from the weather and the decay of the building was arrested.

After World War II Sopoćani was placed under the care of the Serbian Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments. The frescoes were restored and parts of the church were repaired. This work, however, did not ensure lasting protection. There were, furthermore, still unresolved questions concerning the original appearance of the church, the size and lay-out of the monastery and the changes which it had undergone. Consequently, detailed investigations and large-scale restoration work were begun in the monastery in 1975.

As became apparent in time, the materials used far the rebuilding of the church in 1926 were not adequate. The dome developed cracks in several places, and the arcades made of concrete began to crumble away. Because of that, all the parts of the church that had been inadequately rebuilt were pulled down. At the same time the walls and the spaces below the roofs were investigated. The results of these investigations and of the archaeological excavations, combined with the evidence obtained by the study of the old builders' system of measurement, were used an an attempt to restore the original appearance of the church. A part of the drum, the dome, the gable walls, the rows of arcades and the cornices were rebuilt, New travertine was used. The roof was renmade with new timbering and lead sheets. The wall-paintings in the church were cleaned, restored and protected.

Remains of almost the entire length of the surrounding wall, of bath entrances, of the refectory and other monastery buildings were uncovered during the systematic archaeological investigations. Many fragments of structural and architectural decoration were found. They included parts of consoles, cornices, segments of vaulting, doorways and window frames of sandstone, iron locks and hinges, keys and nails of various sizes. Some parts of the church - arcades and cornices made of travertine, marble capitals and bases of mullions, fragments of the altar screen and the sorcophagi - were also excavated.

The finds included a large quantity of earthenware, metal utensils and cutlery, and some coins and jewelry. Some pieces of pottery are true works of art in their shape, colour and decoration.

These excavations yielded much information on the size and appearance of the monastery in various periods, on its economic status, its links with the outside world, devastation and rebuilding.

Parallel with the excavations, the remains of the monastery buildings were protected from further decay. The surrounding wall was rebuilt high enough for it to serve its former purpose again.

Investigation and restoration work is still in progress at Sopoćani. When it is completed, we shall be able to get a fuller picture of the features of this monument which has survived the ravages of time. In addition, a museum illustrating the history of the monastery and exhibiting all the important finds from the archaeological excavations will be built beside to the monastery complex.