Klisura Monastery
Location
The Klisura Monastery of “St. St.Cyril and Methodius” is situated 80 km. north of Sofia, at the foot of Todorini kukli peak(1785m.) in Western Stara planina mountain, not far away from the town of Berkovitsa, and the spa resort of Varshets. It is located 500 m above the sea level, in the picturesque mountain valley of Vreshtitsa river, Ravna livada and Bakite.It attracts with the marvelous nature around it – green glades, crystal brooks, old green forests, and with its interesting history. The monastery is called the spiritual pearl of Northwestern Bulgaria.
It has a statue of a monastery settlement.
HISTORY
The Klisura Monastery was founded during the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, in 13 th century (1240). It was destroyed and restored several times during the Ottoman rule and was a center of literature and education. In 1862 it was burned down by the Berkovitsa Turkish ruler pasha Jusuf bei and the monks were killed. In 1869 the monastery was restored by its first founder Ilia Stojanov and archimandrite Antim Damianov. A completely new monastery complex was built. In 1891 the cloister was officially sanctified by the Vidin bishop.The Klisura Monastery is one of the big active monasteries in Bulgaria.
ARCHITECTURE AND CULTUARL VALUABLES
The monastery complex comprises a church, a chapel “St. Nikolai” (renovated in 1998), residential and farm buildings, a farm and a holly spring. On a platform in the middle of the yard is situated the magnificent monastery church. It is with a nave and 2 aisles, with 3 apses, and one dome on a cylinder with 8 walls. The church has an open air narthex at 2 sides of which there are 2 high bell towers. In 1937 it was painted by the well-known Bulgarian painters Gospodin Jeliazkov and professor George Bogdanov. The iconostasis is a masterpiece of Staicho Fandakov. The icons date back to 18 – 19 th century. Some of them are painted by anonymous masters and others – by the icon painter Nikola Obrazopisov.
In the vicinity is situated the holly spring. Its water comes from the Todorini kukli peak. The monastery is declared a monument of culture.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION
The monastery complex includes 3 big residential buildings. The capacity is 80 beds and 2 apartments.
The restaurant of the monastery (50 seats) offers delicious dishes from the traditional Bulgarian cuisine, prepared from eco products. There you can have lots of fun. Outgoings in the mountain, horse riding, folklore concerts and others are being organized. Exhibitions of Easter eggs and bread and Berkovitsa pottery are represented. The traditional craft of carpet-making is demonstrated. The water of the holly spring is slightly mineralized, pure and with low level of radioactivity. It is good for prophylaxis.
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
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
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
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
"St. Konstantin and Elena" monastery near Ladzha quarter, Ivaylovgrad
The monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is situated close to Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad
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