Divotinski monastery
Divotinski monastery "St Troitsa" is located 7 km southwest of the town of Bankya and 10 km northeast of the village of Divotino at the foot of Lyulin mountain. It is 17 km north of the town of Pernik and 43 km west of the capital Sofia.
History
The history of the foundation of the monastery is connected to a miracle that happened. According the legend St Troitsa appeared in the dream of a Christian family - a man and a woman from the village of Divotino. She took them to the place where there was hidden a treasure and there God told them "Tomorrow morning take shovels and dig the gold take it with the donkey and where it stops and stays to rest there you must set up a monastery in the name of St Troitsa". Early on the other morning the villagers went to the mentioned place to fulfill their duty to God. They dug large pottery jar full of golden coins. They loaded the donkey and went ahead. On a small meadow between two springs the donkeys lied on the ground. They understood that this was the will of the saint. They took the luggage and the man went to the village of Divotino to call for constructors who built the monastery.
In 1046 when is the anniversary from the death of St Ivan Rilski started the construction of the monastery in Divotino. Up to this day the area where the gold was found is called Imaneto and the large jar from Byzantium times is preserved and is kept in the Historical museum in the town of Pernik.
During the Second Bulgarian Kingdom the monastery owned lots of properties. In XIV-th c. it was the center of the spiritual life and the education. During the Ottoman rule it was place for the Bulgarian culture and literacy. In the XVIII-th c. in the monastery there was religious school.
It was famous among the locals as Tsarski monastery for the visits of Tsar Ferdinand and during his rule.
From 1922 to 1973 it was monastery for nuns. In 1927-1928 is made two storey construction.
Architecture and condition
Divotinski monastery is active and working, in its present kind the church and the monastery buildings were built in 1902. The church has a nave, apse, two konhi and a dome, situated on a high drum. It is considered to keep the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary. Two other icons of the Holy Trinity and the other, according to legend saved Vasil Levski from the bullet. Today, Divotinski monastery is run by monks and works as a male fraternity.
transportation
The monastery is reached by three routes. The easiest and quickest is by bus № 44 to the square of Mihaylovo quarter in Bankya and then walking for 2 kilometers. Alternatively, drive after the villa zone of the neighborhood traveling along a dirt road. Another option is again driving on the road from the village Divotino, but this route is suitable only in dry weather.
accommodation
In the monastery there is no accommodation. If tourists wish they may stay in a hotel or guest house in Bankya.
Sources: http://www.bulgarianmonastery.com http://cudo.blog.bg
Photos: http://www.snimka.bg/
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
"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