Basarbovo Rock Monastery is situated 10 km away from the city of Rousse, near the village of Basarbovo.

Ottoman registers show that the monastery existed back in the 15th century. St. Dimitri Basarboski lived there. According to a legend, after his death the saint appeared in the dreams of a blind girl. He showed her where her relics were located.

The relics were taken back to the monastery and the blind girl was able to see once again.

Basarbovo Monastery is the only active rock monastery in the country today. In 1978, it was named an archaeological monument of local importance.

Visitors today can see the well that Dimitri Basarbovski created, as well as his sleeping premise, the cave-ossuary and the rock church. The church iconostasis was created in 1941.

A regular bus line from Rousse will take you to the monastery.

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One of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountain monasteries is situated in Stara Planina Mountain. It carries the name Sveta Bogoroditsa but is better known as Etropole Monastery.

The monastery is situated only a few km away from the mountain town of Etropole. The best time to visit is during the summer, when the mountain is covered in lush greenery. You can reach the monastery walking from Etropole.

Sveta Troitsa is also known as Varovitets. The name is derived from the limestone rock formations situated nearby.

A steep path starting in the monastery yard will take you to a beautiful waterfall that has shaped the rocks in the area. During the summer, the waterfall dwindles, revealing the cavities and stones behind the water.

The monastery offers accommodation and is an interesting place to explore. It served as the hiding place of many Bulgarian revolutionaries. Even today, you can see the tunnel that allowed them escape unnoticed.

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St. Teodor Tiron Monastery is a small complex situated several km away from the town of Pravets. The monastery is better known as Pravets Monastery. It hides in the folds of Stara Planina, near Etropole Monastery Sveta Troitsa.

Pravets Monastery is the only one in Bulgaria named after St. Teodor Tiron. Little is known about its history.

The sanctuary was destroyed several times during the Ottoman rule. Its renovation took place in 1866, making use of donated funds.

The church was entirely modernized. The iconostasis and the central dome are the only remains of the old church that have been preserved.

St. Teodor Tiron’s relics are the most sacred item preserved in the complex.

An eco paths connects the town of Pravets to Pravets Monastery. The complex offers accommodation and up to 15 people can stay there at the same time.

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Vrachesh Monastery is situated in the western part of Stara Planina Mountain, five km away from the village of Vrachesh and 10 km away from Botevgrad.

The monastery came into existence during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. In 1937, it turned into a convent.

In the 14th century, Vrachesh Monastery was burned down for the first time. Several other assaults led to its complete devastation.

According to legends, the monastery was renewed after a young shepherd had a dream in which Virgin Mary told him where the sanctuary should appear. She also pointed to the healing spring located nearby.

Today, the monastery offers food and shelter.

A nice road from Botevgrad leads to the sanctuary.

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When you head away from Teteven, right below Kamen Lisets peak you will find Glozhen Monastery St. Velikomuchenik Georgi Pobedonosets.

The monastery was founded in 1224. As many other Bulgarian sanctuaries, it acted as a cultural and revolutionary center. The complex often gave shelter to revolutionaries like Vasil Levski. His hiding place has been preserved unchanged till present day.

Bulgarian culture activist Vasil Droumev lived in the monastery during his banishment. Droumev’s speeches in favor of the Orthodox church were interpreted incorrectly by Ferdinand, Bulgarian ruler at the time.

A copy of St. George’s icon drawn in Kiev can be seen in the monastery today. It was received as a present from the Kiev ruler named Glozh, who gave his name to the village of Glozhene.

An earthquake in 1913 took down the church and destroyed its beautiful wall paintings.

Glozhen Monastery offers accommodation and prices are affordable.

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