Monastery of Sokolovo

The "Uspenie Bogorodichno" (The Assumption) Monastery of Sokolovo lies on the upper course of the Yantra River,
high in the north slopes of the Balkan range. It’s situated in the area of the Sokolovo cave,
11 km southeast of Gabrovo and 3 km of the Ethar.

The archimandrite Joseph, named Sokolski after the name of the area, founded the monastery in 1833.
Joseph and a monk called Agape, together discovered the interesting place - a stone terrace, affording a fine view
and located on a vertical rock in front of a cave. On this spot the two monks built a small wooden church.
A big temple was erected in the following year, with resources and help of the local people.

In 1862, Pope Paul Zograf and his son Nikola from the Shipka village decorated the church with wall paintings.
The monastery has a big yard surrounded by residential and utility buildings. In the center of the yard,
in 1865 master Kolyu Ficheto constructed a big stone fountain with eight taps.

The Monastery of Sokolovo played an important role during the April rebellion.
In this monastery, the leader Tsanko Dustabanov formed a group of volunteers for the resistance. In a short period of
time during the Russian – Turkish war the monastery was a hospital.

The St. Blagoveshtenie (Holy Annunciation) monastery chapel keeps antique icons of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary
with the new born child, painted by Zahari Zograf.

Source: visit.bg