"St. Konstantin and Elena" monastery near Ladzha quarter, Ivaylovgrad
The monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is a Bulgarian monastery located about 2 km south-west of Ladzha quarter in Ivaylovgard, Haskovo Region. It is situated at 105 km south-east of Kardzhali and in the same direction at respectively 119, 191 and 337 km of Haskovo, Plovdiv and the capital Sofia city.
The monastery was founded in XIII century and was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt again in 1846. During the second half of XIX century it was formed as an ensemble of two courtyards - monk - pilgrimage and agricultural. The first comprised monastic cells, a food unit with kitchen, oven and dining area and a large two-storey inn. In the second courtyard stables and hays were built. Around the middle of XX century all the buildings, except for the church, collapsed.
Currently, after some construction work subsequently carried out, the monastery represents a complex of a three-nave church, a modern residential building and an antique fountain of 1846. In the 70's it was surrounded by a large stone wall and its architecture today is radically different from that of other Rhodope monasteries.
The monasthery was declared a monument of culture and is periodically operating.
The visit to the monastery of Ladzha you can combine with a walk to:
- the Roman castle "Armira", built at the end of I century by a prominent Thracian nobleman /1 km away of Ladzha quarter/. "Armira" castle is open for visitors every weekday from 9 till 17 h. all-year-round.
- Lyutitsa fortress, located at about 5 km south-west of the monastery. This is one of the largest and best preserved forts in the country and was declared to be an archaelogical monument of culture.
transport and accomodation
The monastery is reachable via a dirt road if you start from Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad. The monastery does not offer accomodation but you can take advantage of the hotels in Ivaylovgrad.
Sources: http://bg.wikipedia.org, http://www.planinite.info, Mirela
Photos: http://wikimapia.org, http://www.panoramio.com
Chuprene Biosphere Reserve
The reserve is one of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria. It is established in 1973 to preserve the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria. In 1977 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves under the program "Man and Biosphere".
See on the map
Water Holes Cave
Water Holes Cave is located in Apriltsi Municipality, within the Central Balkan National Park on the northern slope of the massif of Botev Mount.
See on the map
Albotin rock monastery
Albotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.
See on the map
Uzana - the geographic center of Bulgaria
Uzana - the heart of the Balkans. In its embrace, the mountains has kept this extraordinary place where you can fully take charge with power and hours to enjoy its grandeur and beauty of nature.Far from the urban vanity you will find abundance of colors and shades, serenity and peace of mind. Here the warbling of the birds and the whisper of wild grasslands will put a spell on you forever.
Chervenitsa - geological phenomena over the village of Kunino
The natural phenomenon Chervenitsa is a molded boulder, rising more than 150 m above the terrace of the river Iskar in village of Kunino. It is located about 46 km east of Vratsa and approximately 120 km northeast of Sofia.
See on the map
The museum of salt
A unique museum in the whole Eastern Europe dedicated to the production of salt by solar evaporation of sea water, Pomorie
See on the map
Lopushanski monastery "Sv. Yoan Predtecha"
The Lopushanski monastery is located in the Balkan Mountain in the valley of Dalgodelska Ogosta river. It is operational and consists of a church, residential and farm buildings and a white stone fountain, all surrounded by a stone wall.
See on the map
Taukliman Reserve
Natural Reserve Taukliman typical landslide with length of about 4 km, formed between the edge of the Dobrudzhansko plateau and the coast.
Basilica Sveta Sofia - Sofia city
The Early Christian basilica Sveta Sofia is an active Orthodox church in the center of Sofia city. The church was probably built in the early VI century on the ruins of early Christian tombs from II - IV century and the ruins of two earlier churches from IV-V century. It is located among the necropolis of the ancient Serdica.
See on the map
Medieval fortress "Monyak"
"Monyak" fortress is one of the largest and high located fortresses in the Rhodopes near the village of Shiroko pole, Kardzhali Region
See on the map
Vakarelski monastery "St Petka"
Vakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.
See on the map
"The Womb" cave
A unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region
See on the map
Thracian sanctuary "Gluhite kamani"
The megalithic complex "Gluhite kamani" is one of the largest Thracian sanctuaries since BC, whose strength continues to act today to anyone who visits it.
See on the map
Krivus Fortress
A medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region
See on the map
Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa
Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa was was found in X-XI century and during the Middle Ages was an important literary and cultural center in Bdin area.
See on the map
Roman tomb - town of Hisarya
The Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.
See on the map
Elenska basilica
Elenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop
See on the map
"St. Theodor Tyron and Theodor Stratilat" church
A unique monument of culture with extremely precious frescoes and icons included in UNESCO's list with the World Cultural Heritage, village of Dobarsko, Blagoevgrad Region
See on the map
Ovech Fortress
One of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya
See on the map
Momina kula Fort
Late ancient and medieval fortress in the Pirin mountain part of Mesta River in the settlement of the village of Kremen
See on the map