Bulgarian Monasteries
Bulgarian Monasteries 
From their roots in Egypt, the idea and establishment of monasteries spread throughout the Christian world, becoming a fundamental feature of the Eastern Orthodox faith. The earliest Bulgarian monasteries were founded at the end of the 9th century and included those at the original Bulgarian capitals of Pliska and Veliki Preslav, as well as the Ravna Monastery near the town of Provadiya. During the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, monasteries began to flourish in Bulgaria. Of particular interest are the so-called cave monasteries, which developed under the influence of Hesychasm. Good examples of such cave monasteries are the Ivanovo Monastery near Russe (Ruse), which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Aladzha Monastery near Varna. However, when one thinks of Bulgarian monasteries, it is usually an image of a fortress-like architectural compound that springs to mind, and this was the dominating type of monastery in Bulgaria that arose during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom under the influence of Mount Athos. Today, there are about 170 orthodox monasteries and nunneries in Bulgaria, populated by a mere 120 monks and 140 nuns. |
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Rila Monastery 
The largest and most famous of all monasteries in Bulgaria is undoubtedly the Rila Monastery, which lies sheltered deep within the folds of the Rila Mountains. The Rila Monastery was founded in the first half of the 10th century by the hermit monk St. John of Rila (Ivan Rilski), the Patron Saint of Bulgaria. However, the development of the monastery proper really too place in the 14th century under the patronage of Despot Hrelyo, a local Bulgarian feudal lord. He set about extensive renovation and reconstruction, which included the construction of an impressively tall defensive tower still known today as Hrelyo’s Tower. During the early years of the Ottoman period, the Rila Monastery was repeatedly ransacked by outlaws, and by 1430 had fallen into ruin. However, it was then restored in 1463, and seems to have prospered, until the latter half of the 17th century, when once again the monastery started to fall prey to more bandit raids. These then continued throughout the 18th century until August 1778 when, apart from Hrelyo’s Tower, the Rila Monastery was destroyed. It was rebuilt again in 1784, but following a fire in 1833, finally acquired its present form by the middle of the 19th century when it was the largest Orthodox monastery on the Balkan Peninsula. In 1983 the Rila Monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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Bachkovo Monastery 
The Bachkovo Monastery is situated in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains and was founded in 1083. The Ossuary Church dates from this period, but the remaining buildings are later. Within the main courtyard of the Bachkovo Monastery are two churches, the Church of the Holy Archangels is oldest, dating from the 12th century, whilst the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary dates from the start of the 17th century when the monastery was completely rebuilt. The Bachkovo Monastery also has a second courtyard in which stands the Church of St. Nicholas. All the churches at the Bachkovo Monastery posses fine frescoes, as does both the exterior and interior of the old monastery refectory. The Bachkovo Monastery is also renowned for its miraculous silver-encased 14th century icon of the Virgin.
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Troyan Monastery 
The Troyan Monastery is located in the northern foothills of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). It is the third largest of the Bulgarian monasteries after the Rila Monastery and Bachkovo Monastery, and is thought to have been founded at the beginning of the 17th century. However, the Troyan Monastery in its current form, mainly dates from its rebuilding in 1835. The Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin, which stands within the main courtyard of the Troyan Monastery, dates from this period, and has wonderful frescoes painted by Zahari Zograf. His frescoes cover the entire interior of the monastery church, as well as the external gallery. Within the church there is a finely carved iconostasis.
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Rozhen Monastery 
The Rozhen Monastery is situated between the village of Rozhen and the town of Melnik amongst the beautiful landscape of sandstone ridges and pinnacles known as the Melnik Pyramids. The Rozhen Monastery was originally founded in the early 13th century, but like other monasteries in Bulgaria, was destroyed and rebuilt on more than one occasion during the Ottoman period. However, the Rozhen Monastery, perhaps more than other monasteries in Bulgaria, still preserves a unique atmosphere and tranquillity. The main monastery church, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, dates from the 16th century, and preserves some wonderful 16th century frescoes on its external walls as well as in the narthex. The frescoes in the nave of the church date from the 18th century and are regarded as unique in style. Also of note is the large intricately carved iconostasis which dates from 1732 and is regarded as one of the most beautiful iconostasis to be found in Bulgaria.
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