Monasteries in Sofia eparchy
Sofia eparchy is the biggest diocese in Bulgaria which includes the greatest number of monasteries. It includes more than 50 monasteries.The present-day Sofia and its surroundings have a significant influence on the Orthodox topography at Bulgarian lands during the time of Emperor Constantine The Great in the 4th century. The predominant part of the monasteries in Sofia’s region was established in the 13th century when was also marked the beginning of the grandiose monastery complex Mala, also called “minor Holy Mount” of Sofia. 14 monasteries are related to it and all of them are stretching along the stunning Vitosha Mountain and the neighbour mountains.
The main cultural historical cloisters are situated in the mountains near Sofia city. Most of them exist till the present day, more than 40 active monasteries, lying in Vitosha Mountain and its neighbouring mountains, southwest of Sofia in the Konyavska mountain and Golo Byrdo and to the northwest in Viskyar mountain, Burel and Chepun.
Dragalevtsi Monastery "Virgin Mary of Vitosha"
Dragalevtsi Monastery was mentioned for the first time in the Vitosha golden-printed deed of the famous Bulgarian king Ivan Shishman (1371-1393). It revealed that the monastery had been established during the reign of Ivan Alexander (1331-1371), which means the period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. It is believed that the monastery was a part of the group of monasteries which arose in 14th and 15th century around Sofia.
monastery detailsKremikovtsi Monastery "St. George the Victorious"
It is believed that the Kremikovtsi Monastery was built during the reign of the king Ivan Alexander , but there is certain evidence for its existence from the 15th century. The oldest building there is the church “St.Georgi” dated back to the end of the 15th century and renovated two times. During the Ottoman Slavery the Kremikovtsi Monastery was an important literary and cultural centre for Sofia’s residents and many liturgical books have been transcribed there. Kremikovtsi cloister is a nunnery at the present
monastery detailsOsenovlashki Monastery „Virgin Mary”
The legend says that the establishment of the Osenovlashki Monastery (the Seven Altars) is related to the name of the famous Bulgarian boyar Petar Deliyan and the rebellion against the Byzantine rule in 1040. The earliest historical evidence for the existence of the Osenovlashki Monastery was found in a Gospel dated back to 1511, and from another official document from 1554
monastery details