Bulgarian monasteries are among the greatest historical and cultural treasures of the country. Situated in hard-to-reach places or mountain ranges, they are always surrounded by unbelievable scenery. The monasteries are connected with many legends as well as many important events from the Bulgarian history, and in most of them are preserved precious religious and historical relics. Here we will tell you which monasteries you can visit if you are in the region of Gabrovo.
Sokolski Monastery
The closest monastery
to Gabrovo is the Sokolski Monastery "Uspenie Bogorodichno". The
current Girls' Monastery was founded in 1833 by Archbishop Joseph Sokolski. It
is only 4 km from the largest attraction of the region - Ethnographic Open-air
Museum Etar, which makes it an almost obligatory destination for tourists who
come to the museum. The monastery is easily reached by car or bus, and for the
more energetic there are marked forest paths. In front of the monastery there
is a large meadow, perfect and preferred for picnics and outdoor fun.
The main church was
built in 1834 when only a year after the monastery was founded, people from
nearby villages helped build a large stone temple in place of a wooden church.
The church is a one-nave, one-apse, one-storey building with two conch and open
narthex - a remarkable monument of the Bulgarian Revival architecture.
During the revival
period, a cellar school was opened in which Neophyte Bozveli was a teacher.
Thanks to the active participation of the Sokolski Monastery in the national
liberation struggles, there is a small museum exposition of relics. Captain
Dyado Nicholas visited the monastery in 1856 with the intention of turning it
into the center of the uprising. During the April uprising the Tsanko
Dyustabanov's detachment was formed in the monastery, and Vasil Levski had
found shelter there. During the war it served as an infirmary for Russian
soldiers.
In the center of the
spacious monastery yard there is a round white-stone fountain with eight
spouts, built by the famous master Kolyu Ficheto. It is supposed that he built
a wall and the ossuary near the church.
The monastery also offers accommodation for guests.
Dryanovo Monastery
The Dryanovo Monastery
has been one of the centers of the Bulgarian religion since its founding in the
12th century. Centuries of stormy history make it a very interesting
destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.
The monastery is 6 km
away from Dryanovo on the way to Gabrovo. The first monastery was about 2 km
away. from its current location and was founded in the time of Tsar Kaloyan. It
was destroyed by the Ottomans at the end of the 14th century. It is restored 2
centuries later on the other bank of the river, but its fate is the same.
In its current place the
monastery of St. Archangel Michael was built at the end of the 17th century.
There was a huge library in the monastery, making it one of the largest
literary centers during the Renaissance. But robbers burn the monastery for the
third time only to be restored shortly after.
Like the Sokolski
Monastery, Dryanovski Monastery had a key role in the liberation struggles for
liberation from Ottoman domination. The monastery was one of the main quarters
of the BCRC in Tarnovo, and Vasil Levski and Georgi Izmirliev often resided
there. During the April Uprising, the bands of Bacho Kiro and Pop Hariton
defended themselves from the Ottoman assault for 9 days before being defeated.
The Turks burned the monastery again, but it was restored soon after.
Today, the museum
"St. Archangel Michael" is home to the exhibition "Archeology
and Renaissance". There are exhibits from antiquity to this day, with the
April Uprising, of course, taking central place.
Close to the monastery there are places for recreation, pubs and souvenir stands. It is also a starting point for some other attractions. The Dryanovo waterfall, the Bacho Kiro Cave and the beginning of several eco-paths are very close.
Batoshevo monastery
Batoshevo monastery
"Uspenie Bogorodichno" is located about 20 km from Sevlievo and 25 km
from Gabrovo. According to a stone plate, the monastery was founded during the
reign of Tsar Michael II Assen (ruled 1246 - 1256). After the fall of Bulgaria
under Ottoman domination, like most monasteries in the Tarnovo region,
Batoshevsky was demolished and abandoned. The monk Isai settled near the
remains of the monastery at the beginning of the 19th century and the new
monastery began to be built in 1835. The main church Virgin Mary was built in
1836 by master Konstantin from the town of Peshtera. At the same time, the
residential buildings were built. Some of the monks participated in the
preparation of the April uprising, and when it was suppressed, part of the
buildings were destroyed. Everything was restored immediately after the
liberation.
Today, the monastery
is active, it has been declared an architectural and historical monument of
culture and offers a layout.
Whether you want to
explore their unique architecture and nature, or whether you are interested in
the exhibits of the April Uprising, or just want to pray, all three monasteries
are e perfect choice.
