Ivanovo rock Monastery

21km southwest of Russe, near the Ivanovo village, high in the vertical
rocks above the Rusenski Lom river, churches and monk cells were built
as far as back in the 12th century. By this time, there were 40 rock
temples and around 300 dwellings for monk hermits. They were followers
of the Hesychasm, searching for tranquility and the purpose was to
enhance their spirituality. They used to eat forest fruits and roots.

In the Gospodev Dol (God's Valley) area are preserved rooms
built at 32m above the ground, decorated with wall paintings. In the
entrance of the rock, one can see the painting of the Blessed Jesus,
and around the altar there are paintings of biblical scenes - Uspenie
Bogorodichno (The Assumption), the Ascension Day, and the dissension to
hell.

In the Pismata (The writings) area, there are two survived
churches. One of them keeps the mural painting, called The Vision of
Peter Alexandriiski, and in the other church which was half destroyed -
there are interesting mural paintings, among them are the donor's
portrait of Tsar (King) Ivan Asen II and Archangels’ Fair.

The St. Bogoroditsa (Verging) Church is the most significant in
the whole complex. It is suggested Tsar Ivan Alexander to have been the
donor and founder of these churches. It’s hewed out in the rock at 38m
height. Here are the scenes of The life of John the Baptist, The
hanging of Judas, and The passion of Christ, such as pictures of
saints.
The paintings are from the time of the renaissance of the Byzantine.

The rock churches in Ivanovo are under the protection of UNESCO
as a valuable monument of history.
In 2004, under the project executed by the regional administration in
Russe and financed by European Union, the whole complex was restored
for tourism.

Source: visit.bg