The Republic of Bulgaria

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The most remarkable monument of the period of the Bulgarian Revival is the Rila Monastery situated in the Rila Mountain, only 120 km. from the capital city of Sofia. Some of the valuable historical and architectural landmarks are the Hrelyova Tower in the monastery court which dates from the 14th century and the original monastery kitchen, preserved from the 19th century. A rich collection of museum exponents is kept at this spiritual cloister – manuscripts, documents and icons. An ethnographic exhibition of woven fabrics and carpets, jewellery and products of wrought iron is also shown. The monastery has a library with a fund of more than 16,000 books.

A few kilometres from Veliko Tarnovo in the Village of Arbanasi two monasteries can be found which have preserved the spirit of the epoch of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The men’s figures and the scenes of Jesus Christ’s life are impressing, painted in daring hues and wide range of colours, as well as the variety of the architectural decoration.

The Bachkovo Monastery is one of the oldest ones in Bulgaria. It rises above a picturesque river valley to the South of the city of Plovdiv. The monastery attracts with its original architectural solutions, rich collection of icons and adornments and some of Zachari Zograf’s first works.

Situated in the Pirin Mountain, only a few kilometres from the picturesque town of Melnik, the Rozhen Monastery is the only one restored at the beginning of the Ottoman rule and survived unchanged until present times.

The monastery was built around 12th – 13th century by the ruler of Melnik, Despot Slav and it is famous mainly with its wood iconostasis and works of the calligraphic art.