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Bulgarian Monasteries

MASTERPIECES OF ARCHITECTURE AND ART

The establishment of Christianity as the state religion in 864 AD contributed to the development of the Bulgarian nationality and created conditions for the flourishing of Bulgarian literature and culture.

The beauty of the 160 Bulgarian monasteries ensembles, with their numerous colonades, arches, vaults, nooks and graceful curves, superbly linked with the surrounding scenery, are the work of talented master builders. Their architectural silhouettes stand magnificently against the background of lovely nature. The imaginative wood-cuts, exquisite murals, skilful ornamentation and warm colouring testify to the unsurpassed imagination of the Bulgarian national genius.

The iconostases of the Bulgarian monasteries are absolute masterpieces - a perfect mixture of woodcarving and engraving, and the icon collections, which contain pieces as old as 1,400 years, are with exceptional beauty.

Although the monasterial museums are rich of exhibits, the monasteries themselves are not museums - they still continue their functioning. Today a large part of the Bulgarian monasteries are attractive tourist targets.

Below is a short list of must-see-in-Bulgaria monasteries:

Rila Monastery
(10th century)

Situated right in the heart of the Rila Mountain, 119 km south of Sofia, an inaccessible fortress from the outside, Rila Monastery reveals a totally different world

behind its heavy gates - exquisite architecture with arches and columns, 1,200 outdoor murals, sunlit verandahs and old fountains.

Rila Monastery's museum contains over 41,000 exhibits altogether. Included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Bulgarian Monasteries, Rila Monastery (10th century)

Bachkovo Monastery
(11th century)

The second largest in Bulgaria, lies in the beautiful Chaya River Valley in the Rhodope Mountains, 29 km south of Plovdiv.

It boasts a rich museum collection and a library containing valuable incunabula and manuscripts.

The murals, old icons from different periods, as well as the many objects linked with church crafts, turned the monastery into one of the richest galleries of old Bulgarian art.

Bulgarian Monasteries, Bachkovo Monastery (11th century)

Troyan Monastery
(16th century)

The third largest monastery in Bulgaria, situated in Central North part of the country, 10 km away from the town of Troyan. Fortunately, most of the great works of old and National Revival art have survived.

The iconostasis of the main church is a masterpiece of woodcarving. Particularly valuable are the so-called Troyan Homilies of the 17th century.

The Monastery's "printery" in which fine graphic works, including many landscapes were made, was widely known.

Bulgarian Monasteries, Troyan Monastery (16th century)

Rozhen Monastery
(12th century)

Situated in the South-West Bulgaria, rising high above sandstone pyramids, 6 km from the museum-town of Melnik. The present-day appearance dates back to 16th century.

Rozhen Monastery owes its fame above all to its carved iconostases and lecterns. The monastery church has stained glass windows, murals and some fine icons. Rozhen Monastery has left us with a treasure in yet another art - that of calligraphy. A unique work of the calligraphic school is the manuscript "Interpretation of Jonah", kept today in the Holy Grave Church in Jerusalem.

Bulgarian Monasteries, Rozhen Monastery (12th century)

Preobrazhenski Monastery
(14th century)

Masterpriece of another age, of other principles in architecture and art, the monastery was erected 7 km away from

Veliko Turnovo - the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, in one of the pictureque gorges of the Yantra River.

Burnt to ground, the monastery started its second existence in 1825. One of the supreme examples of Bulgarian Baroque.

Bulgarian Monasteries, Preobrazhenski Monastery (14th century)

Dryanovo Monastery
(12th century)

Situated in the Balkan Range, in the Dryanovo river gorge, 4 km away from the town of Dryanovo.

In existence since the Second Bulgarian Kingdom it was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt in its present location in 1845.

Relics of the April epopee are preserved in the monastery museum today, along with some valuable icons.

Bulgarian Monasteries, Dryanovo Monastery (12th century)

Ivanovo Rock Monasteries
(14th century)

Situated 21 km south of the town of Rousse. Small churches, chapels and cells are hewn into the rocks, 32 m above the waters of the picturesque canyon of the Roussenski Lom River.

The murals abound in antique motives - nude caryatids, columns atop lions, masks. They are an example of the revived attention towards Antiquity and its culture, which in the 14th century renewed the whole of Eastern Christian Art. The rock monasteries are included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Bulgarian Monasteries, Ivanovo Rock Monasteries (14th century)

Aladja Rock Monastery
(14th century)

Situated 14 km away from the city of Varna, close to the Black Sea.

One of the few preserved and accessible rock monasteries in Bulgaria, dating from the early Middle Ages and confirming to the hesychastic idea of silence, asceticism and moral perfection.

Monastic cells and a small church have been dug into the sheer rock. Differently coloured frescoes are still discernible on its walls.

Bulgarian Monasteries, Aladja Rock Monastery (14th century)

An inseparable part of Bulgaria's fate and history, well worth visiting are also other monasteries - Arbanassi Monasteries, Kapinovo Monastery, Kilifarevo Monastery, Shipka Monastery, and more...

Bulgarian Monasteries Tours

BULGARIAN MONASTERIES tours
The most famed Bulgarian monasteries - jealous guards of Bulgaria's national culture, are the highlight of our BULGARIAN MONASTERIES guided cultural tours.

Nestled in the most beautiful parts of the mountains, between virgin nature, each monastery has its own unique and impressive story.

You will be charmed by Rila monastery, Bachkovo monastery, Troyan monastery and many other Bulgarian architecture masterpieces. According to the itinerary our special guided tour will acquaint you with many more unforgettable places, part of Bulgaria's cultural heritage.

These customizable cultural tours are tailored upon request. They are recommendable for 2 or more participants because of the better tour price for you.

Special discounts apply for tour groups of minimum 6 travelers.

Featured tours (see below):

Bulgarian Monasteries Standard Tour

STANDARD tour
8-days / 7-nights
Tour operators, travel agencies or corporate clients, please, ask tour details or .

If you are private traveler(s), please, ask tour details or .

Bulgarian Monasteries Guaranteed Departure Tours

Guaranteed departure tours
For 2 and more travelers

These BULGARIAN MONASTERIES guided cultural tours are upon request. Customizable, the tours are recommendable for 2 or more participants because of the better tour price for you.

Special discounts apply for tour groups of minimum 6 travelers.

The tour price includes land services only. It may vary depending on the type of hotel accommodation, transportation and guide service.

Guaranteed departures daily (March - November).

Tour operators, travel agencies or corporate clients, please, ask tour details or .

If you are private traveler(s), please, ask tour details or .