Rock monasteries in Bulgaria

There are numerous rock monasteries in Northern Bulgaria, most of which are not functional at the present time.

Many rock monasteries are situated in the picturesque valley of the Roussenski Lom river. Basarbovo Monastery is the only active rock monastery in Bulgaria and the Ivanovo rock monastery, which is about 25 kilometers away from the Basarbovo monastery, is included in the list of World Cultural heritage of UNESCO due to the extraordinary frescoes in the rock church “St. Virgin”.

Another popular and must see rock monastery is Aladzha Monastery near the summer resort of Golden Sands. The holy cloister has become a cultural monument and a museum.

Aladzha Monastery

Aladzha Monastery

The Aladzha rock monastery is situated only a few kilometers south of the Riviera Holiday Club sea resort and 2 km of Golden Sands seaside resort. It is also a part of the Golden Sands Nature Park. At present, the remains of 20 residential premises and three churches, which were cut out on two levels in the almost 40-meter high limestone rock and connected via an external staircase dug into the rocks, will fascinate the visitor.

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Basarbovo Monastery “St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo”

Basarbovo Monastery “St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo”

Basarbovo Rock Monastery was established during the period of the second Bulgarian kingdom, but its name was mentioned for the first time in a Turkish tax register in 1431. The most famous resident of the monastery was St. Dimitrii Basarbovski.

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Ivanovo Monastery “St. Michael the Archangel”

Ivanovo Monastery “St. Michael the Archangel”

Ivanovo Rock Monastery was established in the twenties of 13th century by the monk Yakim. During the whole period of Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the monastery had developed strong relationships with the kings of Tarnovo.In the 14th century Ivanovo Rock Monastery was a centre of Hesychasm. The monastery had survived until Bulgaria fell under Ottoman Rule and shortly after, but gradually it fall into decline. Nowadays the monastery is not functioning and it consists of 20 small rock churches, chapels, monks' cells, hewn into the rocks of the picturesque canyon of Roussenski Lom river.

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