Cherepish Monastery
One of the favorite places of Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov is situated on the bank of Iskur River and is surrounded by steep cliffs. This place is Cherepish Monastery Ouspenie Bogorodichno. The monastery is located 95 km away from Sofia and 11 km away from Mezdra, in the beautiful Iskur gorge. Historians believe that Cherepish Monastery was set up during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. During the revival period, the monastery acted as a spiritual and cultural center. It played an important role even during Bulgaria’s socialist regime. The monastery church was created in 1612 and still preserves ...
Chiprovtsi Monastery
Chiprovtsi Monastery is also known as St. Ivan Rilski and is located only five km away from Chiprovtsi and 30 km away from Montana. The sanctuary has long and turbulent history. It was created in the 10th century and suffered six assaults. The sanctuary was destroyed almost entirely after the Chiprovtsi uprising in 1688. The monastery complex consists of a church, residential premises, a tower, a chapel and a bell tower. The tower acts as an ossuary where the remains of Chiprovtsi uprising participants are preserved. Pay special attention to the church and its beautiful exterior stone decorations. Chiprovtsi Monastery offers no food or ...
Divotino Monastery
Only two km away from Bankia’s district of Mihailovo you will discover Divotino Monastery. The sanctuary was founded in the 11th century. Divotino Monastery shared the fate of numerous other Bulgarian Christian complexes. It was destroyed in an 1806 assault. Only the iconostasis and three icons have been preserved from the original monastery. The church and all other premises were reconstructed in 1902. The monastery has its miracle making icon of Virgin Mary. Monks live in Divotino Monastery even today. The sanctuary was named a monument of culture. The monastery offers no food or accommodation. Yet, its proximity to Bankia turns it into a ...
Albotinski Rock Monastery
The natural rock cavities situated 25 km away from Vidin house Albotinski Monastery. The sanctuary is situated between the villages of Gradets and Rabovo. Albotinski Monastery is easily accessible. A small path starting in the area of Haidouk fountain will take you there. Archaeologists discovered 29 Christian graves in the area. The graves contain wall paintings and writings. The monastery complex itself is situated 25 km above the river. Albotinski Monastery’s church was used for prayers and masses. Unfortunately, treasure hunters and vandals managed to destroy large parts of this landmark. Today, Albotinski Monastery is inactive. It has been named a monument of culture. To ...
Arapovski Monastery
One of the few Bulgarian sanctuaries constructed in the middle of a valley instead of in the mountain is Arapovski Monastery. The sanctuary is situated eight km away from the town of Asenovgrad. You should head towards Purvomai to see the information boards directing you to the Orthodox complex. Arapovski Monastery is the only Christian complex created in Bulgaria during the Ottoman rule. It appeared in the 19th century close to the village of Arapovo (present day Zlatovruh). St. Nedelia church was constructed in 1859. Famous artists worked on the beautiful wall paintings inside. The church features over 150 scenes, among which the ...
More Featured Posts
Cherepish Monastery
One of the favorite places of Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov is situated on the bank of Iskur River and is surrounded by steep cliffs. This place is Cherepish Monastery Ouspenie Bogorodichno. The monastery is located 95 km away from Sofia and 11 km away from Mezdra, in the beautiful Iskur gorge. Historians believe that Cherepish Monastery was set up during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. It was destroyed... [Read more]
Chiprovtsi Monastery
Chiprovtsi Monastery is also known as St. Ivan Rilski and is located only five km away from Chiprovtsi and 30 km away from Montana. The sanctuary has long and turbulent history. It was created in the 10th century and suffered six assaults. The sanctuary was destroyed almost entirely after the Chiprovtsi uprising in 1688. The monastery complex consists of a church, residential premises, a tower, a chapel... [Read more]
Albotinski Rock Monastery
The natural rock cavities situated 25 km away from Vidin house Albotinski Monastery. The sanctuary is situated between the villages of Gradets and Rabovo. Albotinski Monastery is easily accessible. A small path starting in the area of Haidouk fountain will take you there. Archaeologists discovered 29 Christian graves in the area. The graves contain wall paintings and writings. The monastery complex... [Read more]
Arapovski Monastery
One of the few Bulgarian sanctuaries constructed in the middle of a valley instead of in the mountain is Arapovski Monastery. The sanctuary is situated eight km away from the town of Asenovgrad. You should head towards Purvomai to see the information boards directing you to the Orthodox complex. Arapovski Monastery is the only Christian complex created in Bulgaria during the Ottoman rule. It appeared... [Read more]
Sopot Convent Vuvedenie Bogorodichno
The central part of Sopot preserves a historic and spiritual treasure. The complex consists of Vuvedenie Bogorodichno convent and St. St. Apostles Peter and Pavel church. Both landmarks hold volumes of history connected to their development. The convent was created in the 17th century. Its church is the only part of the original complex that survived a fire in 1877. Vuvedenie Bogorodichno brags the... [Read more]