Monastery of Troyan

The "Uspenie Bogorodichno" (The Holy Mother) Monastery of Troyan (400 m) is situated in the Cherni Osam riverbank,
in the north slopes of the Balkan range. It is the third biggest monastery in Bulgaria and is located 9 km southeast
of Troyan and 189 km of Sofia.

In 1600AC, an unknown monk from Aton, settled in the area, and erected a small wooden church.
In the 16th and 17th century, the Troyan monastery was destroyed and burnt down several times.

During the time of Bulgarian national revival, a new church and residential buildings were constructed.
The monastery became a cultural and a religious center.

In 1869, a monastery school was opened and more than a hundred children from the neighboring villages studied in it.
Many Bulgarian fighters for freedom took refuge in the monastery. Vassil Levski also found shelter in it.

The church is a unique architectural monument. The north and the west walls have an arch, and relieves of riders,
Doves have been engraved in them.
The monastery church impresses with its paintings and woodcarvings. The wall paintings were painted by
Zahari Zograf in 1847. Among his paintings are: portraits of the donors, father superior, Bulgarian saints,
and Bulgarian freedom fighters-beside, and even his self portrait.
The monastery church preserves the miraculous icon of "St. Bogoroditsa Troeruchitsa". The wood carved iconostasis
was made by two artists in 1838.

The church was erected in a big yard surrounded by three and four storied residential buildings in the typical
for the Bulgarian national revival design.

The Monastery of Troyan has always attracted tourists all the year round.

Source: visit.bg