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 death of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius.
Arapovski Monastery has its miracle-making icon of Virgin Mary. The image has been created in a way so that the eyes follow believers regardless of their location.
Angel Voivoda’s tower is another part of the complex. The tower has three floors and was named after one of the people who made significant donations for the monastery construction.
The monastery offers accommodation in several modest rooms. Have in mind that these use a single bathroom.
To learn more about Arapovski Monastery click here.
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 oldest vine in Southeastern Europe. The vine produces grapes till present day.
No food or accommodation is available in the convent but its location in central Sopot turns it into a popular tourism landmark.
St. St. Apostles Peter and Pavel is a massive construction dating back to 1846. Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov described it “Under the Yoke,” one of his most popular works.
The church suffered serious destruction during the Bulgarian liberation struggles. Its roof and beautiful wood carvings were destroyed in a fire. The church was reconstructed in 1879 and the bell tower appeared in 1900.
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St. Spas Monastery is one of the places mentioned in Ivan Vazov’s Under the Yoke masterpiece. It is situated a kilometer north of the town of Sopot, five km away from Karlovo and 19 km away from Kalofer.
A beautiful road leads to the sanctuary and starts in the center of Sopot. To reach it, you need to head to the first station of the Sopot lift.
Historic data shows that the monastery used to exist in the 13th century. It was part in revolutionary struggles.
Todor Kableshkov created the Sopot revolutionary committee in St. Spas Monastery.
St. Spas was destroyed several times during the Ottoman reign. The new church wall paintings were created in 1870. Some of them depict episodes from the Bulgarian revolutionary struggles.
Today, the monastery offers no food and accommodation. Numerous hotels and restaurants function in Sopot, however.
To learn more about St. Spas click here.
